From Ajay Kaul
Ottawa

Canada will supply uranium to energy-starved India beginning this year over a period of five years, a decision which was termed as a launch of a new era of bilateral cooperation and mutual trust by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Under an agreement signed today after comprehensive talks Modi had with his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper, Cameco Corporation will supply 3,000 metric tonnes of uranium over five years to India at an estimated cost of USD 254 million.

The supply will start from this year, highly placed sources said. Canada is the third country to supply uranium to India after Russia and Kazakhstan.

The supplies will be under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

The two sides inked 13 agreements on skill development which Modi said, “reflect my commitment to empower the youth of India with world class skills for India and the global economy.”

On the agreement on cooperation in space, the Prime Minister said the two countries have strong synergy for cooperation in areas of advanced technologies.

“To support greater engagement and people-to-people contacts, we have liberalised our visa policy for Canada. We will issue Electronic Visa Authorisation for tourist visa for Canadian nationals. They will also be eligible for ten-year visas now,” he said.

Modi said both sides agreed that a strong bilateral relationship will provide a solid foundation to pursue common international interests.

On threats posed by terrorism, he said, “We in India felt Canada’s pain when this city was struck by a senseless act of terrorism” in October last year.

“The threat of terrorism is growing; its shadow extends over cities and lives across the world. We will deepen our cooperation to combat terrorism and extremism. We will also promote a comprehensive global strategy, and consistent policy and action against all sources of terrorism and its support,” he said.

“We also agree on the need to enhance our defence and security cooperation. I welcome our recent agreement on cyber security. We both recognise that peace and stability in West Asia will make us safer at home; so will Afghanistan’s successful transition,” he added.

Describing Indo-Canadian ties as a “natural partnership of shared values”, he said, “It is an economic partnership of immense mutual benefit. It is a strategic partnership that can help address many of our shared global challenges.”

Modi said he was confident that his visit will be a springboard for a new strategic partnership between our two democracies.

– PTI