New Delhi, Oct 13 (NationPress) The Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, expressed on Monday that both the governments of India and Canada recognize the significance of deepening their relationship. Anand highlighted that she and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will engage in discussions regarding the India-Canada joint statement, which she termed as 'comprehensive and all-encompassing'.

In her introductory remarks during her meeting with EAM Jaishankar, Anita Anand reminisced about the pleasure exhibited by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 Summit held in Kananaskis.

Anand stated, 'I wish to emphasize the cooperation we have received from your side is indeed appreciated. Today, we will deliberate on the India-Canada joint statement, which is comprehensive and spans several issues, enabling us to proceed with the enhancement of our bilateral ties. The discussions related to security, while we strengthen our collaboration in critical areas such as minerals, energy, AI, and climate change, will persist. Recently, our officials had a productive meeting concerning security and law enforcement, and that dialogue is set to continue. Both governments recognize the significance of these discussions.'

'There is mutual agreement on the necessity of advancing our relationship. This joint statement will outline our shared intentions for re-engagement, assuring both Canadians and Indians of our collective commitment to nurturing this relationship, particularly regarding our shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific,' she noted.

She expressed gratitude towards EAM Jaishankar for the warm reception her delegation received in New Delhi.

Anand remarked, 'I genuinely appreciate the warm welcome we've experienced this morning. I am thankful we can further the Canada-India relationship here in New Delhi. I would first like to extend my gratitude to you for the productive conversations we have shared since my appointment as Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs on May 13. Likewise, Prime Minister Carney was pleased to host Prime Minister Modi during the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, where they engaged in a fruitful bilateral meeting that greatly informs our current discussions.'

Meanwhile, EAM Jaishankar noted the progressive nature of the ties between India and Canada in recent months, emphasizing that both nations are working diligently to restore and revitalize the mechanisms essential for advancing their partnership.

In his opening remarks, EAM Jaishankar highlighted the recent engagements between India and Canada, which included meetings between national security advisers and trade ministers. He mentioned that India and Canada have devised an ambitious roadmap aimed at enhancing cooperation across various sectors, including science and technology, civil nuclear collaboration, AI, trade, and agriculture.

He said, 'It is my pleasure to welcome you to India on your inaugural official visit as Canada's new foreign minister. Our meeting today continues the constructive dialogues initiated since our phone call on May 26. The bilateral relations between India and Canada have been steadily advancing in the recent months. We are focused on re-establishing and reinvigorating the mechanisms necessary to enhance our partnership. As Prime Minister Modi noted in his meeting with Prime Minister Carney in Kananaskis, India's approach is geared towards a positive trajectory. This morning, you had the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister and hear directly about our cooperative vision and the best ways to realize it.'

'I would also like to highlight that our national security advisers and their teams had a constructive meeting on September 18 in New Delhi, marking an important initial step towards strengthening our security cooperation. Our foreign ministries convened at the level of secretary or deputy minister on September 19 to evaluate the overall relationship. Moreover, our trade ministers recently communicated on October 11. When we assess Canada, we recognize a complementary economy, an open society, and a rich tapestry of diversity and pluralism, which we believe forms the foundation for a close, sustainable, and long-term cooperative framework,' he added.

During her stay in India, Anand will also visit Mumbai to engage with Canadian and Indian companies focused on investment, job creation, and economic opportunities between the two nations.

This visit follows months after PM Modi met his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, in June during the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, for a pivotal bilateral meeting aimed at mending strained relations.

This renewed engagement was complemented by the appointments of new High Commissioners - Christopher Cooter as Canada's envoy to New Delhi, and Dinesh K Patnaik as India's High Commissioner to Ottawa. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri remarked that the two leaders had a 'very positive and constructive meeting' and concurred on 'calibrated steps to restore stability to the relationship.'

Following her visit to India, Anand will proceed to Singapore to meet Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to 'further enhance Canada's cooperation with one of its key partners in Southeast Asia,' as stated by the Canadian government.

In the final segment of her trip, Anand will travel to China to meet Foreign Minister Wang Yi and continue discussions regarding the Canada-China Strategic Partnership, commemorating 55 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.