New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Canada from April 14-16, making stopovers in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver, it was announced here on Wednesday.

Modi’s visit will be the first bilateral trip to Canada by an Indian prime minister since 1973 and is at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Modi’s visit to Canada will provide an opportunity for the two leaders “to reaffirm the close relationship between Canada and India and to discuss ways to further broaden its scope”.

“Increased cooperation in the fields of science and technology, innovation, education, security, counter-terrorism and energy are expected to feature prominently in discussions,” said the Canadian High Commission here in a press release.

The statement cited Prime Minister Harper as saying that Canada and India “enjoy a close friendship based on shared values of democracy, pluralism and a mutual interest in expanding trade”.

“India’s growing economy presents enormous opportunities for Canada and I look forward to meeting with Prime Minister Modi to further strengthen bilateral relations and expand our trade and investment ties with a view to benefiting citizens of both countries,” he said.

India is Canada’s largest trading partner in South Asia and continues to be a priority market under Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan.

With bilateral merchandise trade totalling nearly $6.33 billion in 2014, a market of more than 1.2 billion people, and a predicted economic growth of 6.4 percent in 2015, India represents exciting opportunities for Canadian businesses, the high commission release said.

Harper first met Modi on the margins of the G20 Summit in Australia in November 2014.

Harper visited India in November 2009 and November 2012.

IANS