Vancouver:  Winding up his visit to Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said it was a historic trip that will herald a new era of cooperation between the two countries as he promised an early conclusion of a free trade agreement and a bilateral investment protection pact.
“The importance of a visit is not measured by length but by the objectives…this was a historic visit, not because an Indian Prime Minister is visiting here after 42 years but because after 42 years, the clouds of distance have gone away in a moment,” Modi said at a reception hosted in his honour by his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper.
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He said he considers this visit successful also because it helped bring back on track the ties which had strayed away.
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“The wall will now be converted into a bridge,” Modi said.
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“India and Canada will be together in thoughts, will move together and work together,” Modi said.
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“We made progress in….BIPPA or Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and CECA or Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Agreement will be concluded soon. I am confident,” said PM Modi who held wide-ranging talks with Canadian PM Harper on Wednesday during his three-day visit to this country.
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Modi also talked about the immense cooperation possibilities between India and Canada.
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Stressing that if Canada participates India’s development it will benefit, Modi said it will also have the satisfaction of contributing to development of one-sixth of humanity.
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During his address, PM Modi also recalled Swami Swami Vivekananda’s Canada visit. He also praised the Indian community for their contribution.
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PM Harper also praised the Indian community’s contribution to Canada.