“Canada and India share extremely strong relations. Now, we are focusing on trade and agricultural technology in India,” said Nadir Patel, High Commissioner for Canada to India.

He was speaking at a special session ‘India-Canada relationship in today’s interconnected world’ hosted by the Indian School of Business (ISB) here this evening.

Terming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Canada as very successful, Patel said more opportunities to further strengthen ties between both countries were being explored.

“Things are moving in the right direction as far as bilateral relations between the two countries are concerned,” said Patel Patel, the first Indo-Canadian to be appointed to this top position.

He added that Canadians of Indian origin have been contributing to the Canadian $2 trillion economy and there was immense scope to boost investment further in terms of entrepreneurial ventures in various sectors.

The High Commissioner added that Canada’s start-up visa programme has specially been formulated to facilitate entrepreneurial ventures in Canada.

“We are positive about the way business opportunities are shaping up in India but the gap between the vision and public policy implementation has to be bridged for better integration of the two nations,” said Patel.

On various points, including the nuclear deal between both countries, the ‘Make in India’ programme and trade, Patel said that
Canada was very keen to strengthen ties with India through various initiatives in the education sector.

“Students are the best brand ambassadors of the Indo-Canadian relationship,” he said, adding that 46,000 Indian students are presently studying in Canada.

“The number of Indian students in Canada has grown by 17 per cent over the past five years and is surging every year. We would like to see more students from Canada too studying in Indian educational institutions.”