THERE appears to be some hope judging from what Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on his Facebook on March 27.

Modi wrote: “We look forward to resuming our Civil Nuclear Energy cooperation with Canada, especially for sourcing uranium fuel for our nuclear power plants.”

Here is the full post:

THE third part of my visit will take me to Canada, where I will be hosted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Prime Minister Harper played a key role in transforming India-Canada relations. He had visited India twice, the last visit being in November 2012.

Soon after Independence, Canada was one of our most important developing partners. Today, it has the potential to re-emerge as one of a key economic partner.

Canada is one of the leading global economies and one of the richest in the world in terms of resources – oil and gas, minerals, agriculture, etc. It is a major centre for higher education, research and development and advanced technology. Canadian Pension Funds are among the most endowed funds in the world, and potentially a large source of long term investment funds, which can be productively channel into development of our infrastructure sector.

It is important for our food security – 25% of our imported potash fertilizer and 40% of our imported pulses come from Canada, which is a staple food in India. Canada is one of the fastest growing destinations for higher education in the world for Indian students. Canada is also the first country to have completed the requirements of Civil Nuclear cooperation, having concluded the Civil Nuclear Agreement in 2010 and the Administrative Arrangement in November 2012. We look forward to resuming our Civil Nuclear Energy cooperation with Canada, especially for sourcing uranium fuel for our nuclear power plants.

Whichever area of national priority we think of, Canada can be an important partner – energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, education, skill, research, food security, etc.

The 1 million-strong Indian community in Canada represents India’s rich diversity and is making impressive contribution in all fields in Canada. I look forward to my official meetings in Ottawa, interacting with the business leaders in Toronto and reaching out to the Indian community in Toronto and Vancouver.

– RATTAN MALL