New Delhi, March 2 (NationPress) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney praised PM Narendra Modi's guidance on Monday, emphasizing his significant contributions to transforming India into the world's fastest growing economy over the past decade. In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Modi after their discussions in New Delhi, Carney remarked on the deepening ties between India and Canada over the last year, referring to it as an enhancement of a cherished partnership imbued with new ambition, focus, and vision.

"In the last decade, under your leadership, Prime Minister, India has emerged as the fastest growing economy globally. The rise in per capita incomes here has been unprecedented in history, a rarity in human experience... Canada aligns with your aspirations and sense of purpose... I believe the path to success in this new era is aptly illustrated by the theme of your G20 presidency in 2023, which I was privileged to attend. That theme, of course, is 'One Earth, One Family, One Future', highlighting that the challenges we face cannot be tackled by a single nation alone," Carney stated.

The two leaders evaluated the broad scope of bilateral collaboration, discussing matters such as trade and investment, defense and security, education and culture, clean energy and critical minerals, AI and supercomputing, and mobility. They also shared perspectives on regional and global issues, asserting that terrorism, extremism, and radicalization present profound challenges for humanity.

Following their meeting at the Hyderabad House, multiple Memoranda of Understanding were exchanged in vital sectors, including civil nuclear cooperation, energy, critical minerals, education and skill development, science and technology, and culture.

Carney revealed that India and Canada are renewing their defense and security partnership through a new defense collaboration, maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, professional military exchanges, and practical coordination on shared security interests. He also reminisced about his earlier meetings with PM Modi during the G7 and G20 Summits last year.

"I want to begin by expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for the warm hospitality you have shown us in New Delhi, extended to my ministers during their visits, and the spirit of partnership you've embraced since our initial conversation last June. A few weeks later, you graciously attended the G7 Summit in Alberta, Canada. Five months after that, we convened in Johannesburg at the G20, and now today marks the first bilateral visit from a Canadian Prime Minister here in eight years.

"In the months that followed, our foreign ministers have been actively engaged, meeting five times. Four of my ministers have led delegations to India. Provincial premiers have also participated, including today. There has been a surge in engagement between the Canadian and Indian governments this past year, surpassing the cumulative interaction of the last two decades. This is not just a renewal of our relationship; it represents the expansion of a cherished partnership with new ambition, focus, and foresight—a collaboration between two confident nations charting a course for the future," Carney added.

He announced that India and Canada aim to finalize a comprehensive economic partnership agreement by the year's end, which will lower barriers, enhance certainty, and unlock opportunities for exporters, investors, and workers in both countries, with a goal to double trade by the end of this decade.

"We are one family. The enduring strengths of Canada and India lie in the families that call our nations home. Nearly two million Canadians have Indian roots, including leaders across business, science, culture, and government. Tens of thousands travel between our countries annually to visit family and friends. Currently, 400,000 talented Indian students are studying in Canada—double the number in the United States and quadruple that in the United Kingdom. These students and connections deepen our relationship, and we are working together to build on those strengths," he mentioned.

Carney further stated that India and Canada have initiated a new talent and innovation strategy, establishing 13 new partnerships to strengthen educational ties, including collaborations with McGill, the University of Toronto, and the University of British Columbia in areas such as artificial intelligence, health sciences, and digital architecture.

"We will enhance our collaboration between the Canadian Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation focused on Earth observation, climate monitoring, and generating data to support agriculture, disaster response, and climate resilience throughout the Indo-Pacific. Our partnerships will be fortified by the robust foundations we are laying in trade and defense," he concluded.