India, Canada to talk easing of visa, defence, security ties

India and Canada will hold its second round of Strategic Dialogue here tomorrow during which issues like visa simplification for businessmen, defence and security ties would be on the agenda even as the Indian side is expected to convey concerns over reported activities of some pro-Khalistan elements.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj along with her Canadian counterpart John Baird will co-chair the dialogue which will focus on areas of cooperation in security, defence, counter-terrorism, space and nuclear energy.

According to official sources, India would be conveying its concerns over reports of activities of some pro-Khalistan elements during the meeting. The two countries are also working on simplification of visas for businessmen, they said.

Baird is accompanied by Canadian International Trade Minister Ed Fast and National Revenue Minister Kerry-Lynne Findlay among others.

India will also find out how Canada could assist in government's development and economic agenda which includes skill training, urban planning and improving lives in 500 cities which have more than one lakh population.

The MEA Spokesperson had said the government's ambitious project of 100 smart cities will also be discussed with the visiting dignitary and how they can partner in that.

The two sides are also expected to discuss ways to enhance trade ties, which they maintain do not reflect the true potential of the commercial relationship.

The bilateral trade in 2012 was $5.2 billion, in 2013 it increased to over $5.7 billion, registering a rise of 7.69 per cent. However, the two sides share desire to see the bilateral trade reach $15 billion by 2015.

The two countries are also negotiating Foreign Investment Promotion Agreement (FIPA), and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Civil nuclear energy cooperation is another key area between the two countries which signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2010 that allowed them to initiate negotiations for supply of uranium.