Prime Minister Stephen Harper had a one-on-one meeting today with India’s Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh. The big news: Prime Minister Singh accepted an invitation from Harper to come and visit Canada. Reporters were allowed into the meeting only long enough to take a photo of the two men at the beginning so we must rely on this account of the meeting, provided to us by Harper’s communications staff:
Reflecting the diverse nature of Canada-India relations, Prime Minister Harper and Prime Minister Singh had a warm discussion of a broad range of issues. Both leaders expressed pleasure at the opportunity to meet and Prime Minister Harper extended an invitation to the Indian Prime Minister to visit Canada, which the latter said he would be delighted to accept given his personal links to Canada, including a university scholarship in his name.
Leaders reaffirmed the strong trade and investment relationship India and Canada enjoy, recognising that there is unrealised potential, and discussed the opportunities in a relationship which has developed from close links forged immediately after Independence
Prime Minister Harper recognized India’s extensive involvement in development and reconstruction in Afghanistan as a complement to Canada’s extensive involvement. Prime Minister Singh underscored their long term commitment to bringing about transformational change in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Harper encouraged India to play an active and constructive role on Burma and Prime Minister Singh confirmed that India is joined with the international community in promoting democratic change in Burma, engagement with leaders, notably Aung San Suu Kyi.
Prime Minister Harper offered Prime Minister Singh congratulations on Indian High Commissioner Sharma’s confirmation as Commonwealth Secretary-General, succeeding New Zealand’s Don McKinnon.