Canada defence minister Sajjan may visit India this month

Canada’s defence minister Harjit Sajjan is expected to travel to New Delhi this month.

Sajjan’s visit and schedule are yet to be formally announced, but if it happens, he will be the fifth Canadian minister in India just this year, and the eighth within only nine months, upping the intensity of the dialogue process.

India’s defence ties with Canada are at a nascent stage, but it could benefit from the North American nation’s technological skills, cold climate expertise, and explore the possibility of Canadian defence manufacturers becoming part of Make in India.

While he would not comment on or confirm any forthcoming visits, India’s high commissioner in Ottawa, Vikas Swarup, was delighted with the rising engagement.

“We’ve had a lot of activity between the countries and this augurs well really for the future of the India-Canada partnership. It shows tremendous interest on the part of Canada in deepening ties with India and making it as broadbased as possible.”

Those who are engaged in the partnership welcome the attention Canada is paying to India.

Kasi Rao, president and CEO of Canada-India Business Council or C-IBC, said: “The number of ministers and the diversity of portfolios represents the need for a broad country-to-country relationship. And the rise of India, in that sense, is deeply relevant to Canada. All of this speaks to the widening scope of the relationship.”