KAMPALA, Uganda - Reflecting the diverse nature of Canada-India relations, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had a warm discussion of a broad range of issues. Both leaders expressed pleasure at the opportunity to meet and Harper extended an invitation to Singh to visit Canada, which the latter said he would be delighted to accept given his personal links to Canada, including a university scholarship in his name.
The two leaders reaffirmed the strong trade and investment relationship India and Canada enjoy, recognising that there is unrealized potential, and discussed the opportunities in a relationship which has developed from close links forged immediately after India's independence.
Harper recognized India's extensive involvement in development and reconstruction in Afghanistan as a complement to Canada's extensive involvement. Singh underscored their long term commitment to bringing about transformational change in Afghanistan. Harper encouraged India to play an active and constructive role on Burma and Singh confirmed that India is joined with the international community in promoting democratic change in Burma, engagement with leaders, notably Aung San Suu Kyi.
Harper offered Singh congratulations on Indian High Commissioner Sharma's confirmation as Commonwealth Secretary-General, succeeding New Zealand's Don McKinnon.
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