FOREIGN Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced on Wednesday that he will welcome Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, to Canada on December 19 and 20.
“The visit will provide an opportunity to discuss shared priorities, including the rules-based international order, peace and security, human rights, climate change and trade and investment,” Global Affairs Canada said in a statement.
“Canada and India enjoy a close relationship anchored in a shared commitment to democracy as well as close people-to-people ties. I look forward to meeting with Minister Jaishankar to further strengthen the friendship between our two countries,” said Champagne.
“As the world’s fastest-growing major economy, India offers tremendous opportunities for our Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs. I look forward to an important discussion with Minister Jaishankar on ways we can continue to collaborate,” added Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade.
Quick Facts
* Canada is home to one of the largest Indian diaspora communities per capita, with approximately 4% of Canadians (1.4 million people) being of Indian heritage.
* India is Canada’s largest source of permanent residents: approximately 70,000 in 2016.
* Merchandise exports to India were valued at $4.3 billion in 2018, making India Canada’s seventh-largest destination for merchandise exports. Merchandise imports were valued at $5.13 billion in that same year.
