MP Dechert Welcomes Prime Minister Modi to GTA

Mississauga, Ontario – Today Bob Dechert, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Erindale was honoured to be part of the Official Ceremony to welcome Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, to the Greater Toronto Area.

“During my recent visit to India with Canada’s Minister of International Trade, I had the opportunity to meet with senior Ministers in Prime Minister Modi’s Government and learn about his ambitious plans and vision for India.” Said MP Dechert. “When implemented, these plans will result in a better quality of life for all of the people of India.”

“I was pleased to participate in discussions with the Indian Government and business leaders to enhance the trade relationship between Canada and India.”MP Dechert continued. “With its world leading products, technologies and services and a dynamic and connected Indo-Canadian ‎community, Canada is ready to participate in and benefit from the future growth of India.”

Prime Minister Modi’s bilateral visit to Canada – his first since taking office – will provide an opportunity for the leaders to reaffirm the close relationship between Canada and India and to discuss ways to further broaden its scope. Increased cooperation in the fields of science and technology, innovation, education, security, counter-terrorism and energy are expected to feature prominently in discussions.

“The historic visit by Prime Minister Modi to Canada, combined with the number and scope of agreements signed today between our governments, clearly demonstrate the commitment of both countries to taking bilateral relations to new heights.” Said Prime Minister Stephen Harper

 Quick Facts

*   Canada and India have longstanding bilateral relations built upon shared traditions of democracy and pluralism, and on strong interpersonal connections with the approximately 1.2 million Indian diaspora community in Canada.

*   With bilateral merchandise trade valued at $6.3 billion in 2014 and bilateral service trade at over $1.5 billion in 2013, a market of more than 1.2 billion people, and a predicted economic growth of 7.5 per cent in 2015, India represents exciting opportunities for Canadian businesses.

*   The stock of two-way foreign direct investment (FDI) between Canada and India totalled approximately $4.4 billion in 2013. Of this, the stock of FDI in Canada from India is nearly $3.8 billion and the stock of Canadian FDI in India stood at $613 million.