India, Canada likely to sign civil nuclear deal
New Delhi: A number of pacts, including one
in the field of civil nuclear cooperation, are expected to be
signed tomorrow between India and Canada, the biggest supplier
of the uranium in the world.
The two countries are also expected to announce launch of
feasibility study for a Free Trade Agreement when Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh meets his Canadian counterpart Stephen
Harper for the delegation-level talks.
The talks will aim at giving a push to the trade between
the two countries which stands at USD five billion, much below
the actual potential, External Affairs Ministry spokesman
Vishnu Prakash told reporters here.
Both countries are interested in enhancing their ties in
the field of trade and investment, agriculture, mining and
infrastructure, he said.
After the talks, the two countries are expected to sign a
number of pacts, including one in civil nuclear field.
Canada is the largest exporter of uranium and India needs
the nuclear fuel to meet its rapidly-growing energy needs.
"We are talking about the civil-nuclear agreement. Three
rounds have already been taken place.....There was delegation
level talks between the two countries on the issue last week,"
a source said here.
An MoU on culture is also expected to be signed.
Harper, who is on a four-day India visit since yesterday,
will also call on President Pratibha Patil.
Bureau Report