Canada and India Broaden Strategic Partnership with Nuclear Agreement and Three MOUs

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, announced that Canada and Indian have signed a nuclear cooperation agreement and three memoranda of understanding (MOU). The nuclear cooperation agreement will provide access for Canada’s nuclear industry to India’s nuclear market. The MOUs are on higher education, to encourage the continued development of synergies between Canadian and Indian post-secondary institutions; earth sciences and mining, which will foster improved dialogue on mining and related activities, including bilateral investment; and cultural cooperation, which will facilitate bilateral cultural initiatives, aid in the creation of economic opportunities for both Canada and India. The Prime Ministers also welcomed the conclusion of a Canada-India joint study that lays the groundwork for bilateral free trade negotiations. They noted that the recommendations in the report would be examined by both countries, and processes to obtain approvals will be initiated immediately, with an aim to be completed by late October.