(Ottawa) \u2013 Carleton University played host to two key India government ministers as Canada launched the start of negotiations on the feasibility of a comprehensive economic agreement to triple bilateral trade between the two countries.<\/p>\n
Indian Industry Minister Anand Sharma, who met with International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan to establish a formal trade discourse, attended a Sept. 25 roundtable at Carleton with top business leaders, academics and diplomats.<\/p>\n
The previous week, Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde sat in on a discussion co-hosted by Carleton President Roseann O\u2019Reilly Runte and the Hon. John Manley, president and CEO of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to bring people together,\u201d said Manley, a Carleton graduate. \u201cFor some, it\u2019s a first step; for others, it\u2019s one of many steps to build relationships and exchange ideas. All of these are valuable.\u201d<\/p>\n
In early September, Carleton launched the Canada India Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy. Unique in Canada, the centre will raise awareness of bilateral studies and public diplomacy and develop initiatives to build a better understanding of both countries.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be very helpful,\u201d said Mr. Shinde. \u201cOne of the considerations (for us) was sending some students to take advantage of the excellence in this university.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shinde credited the forum sponsored by Carleton and the CCCE for providing leads on future projects and partnerships.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are very experienced people,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a great opportunity \u2013 the investment there in India.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fen Hampson, director of the renowned Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, said Carleton\u2019s expertise in international trade and investment make it a natural gathering place for such high-level discussions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look forward to hosting more of these events and contributing to stronger relations between India and Canada,\u201d said Hampson. \u201cMovement on the trade front between the two countries certainly allows us to make a bigger impact.\u201d<\/p>\n
About the Canada India Centre:<\/strong> It will be associated with several faculties, and co-located within the internationally-recognized Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, the School of Public Policy and Administration and the Sprott School of Business.<\/p>\n The centre will provide opportunities for many co-operative ventures. Carleton has just signed a major agreement with the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani.<\/p>\n The agreement will allow for faculty and student exchanges, internships and joint research projects, especially in international health environment and engineering. A Carleton professor is already on site at BITS, while two of professors from BITS have been at Carleton since May.<\/p>\n For more information:<\/strong> Carleton University played host to two key India government ministers as Canada launched the start of negotiations on the feasibility of a comprehensive economic agreement to triple bilateral trade between the two countries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nThe centre will bring together key members of the academic, business and public policy communities in both countries to provide current and comprehensive discussion, research, analysis and information on Indo-Canadian relations, with special emphasis on trade, investment, commercial relations, foreign policy, science, environment, technology and international security.<\/p>\n
\nLin Moody
\nMedia Relations
\nCarleton University
\n613-520-2600, ext. 8705<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"