India, Canada sign agreements to boost defence co-op, food security

New Delhi, Nov 6: Canada has finalized a deal with India that opens the door for exports of Canadian uranium and nuclear technology to the southeast Asian nation.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh confirmed on Tuesday that protracted negotiations had concluded on the administrative agreement spelling out how the nuclear pact would be implemented.

“The conclusion of the administrative arrangement with India will facilitate opportunities for Canadian companies to play a greater role in meeting India’s growing energy needs,” Harper said in a statement.

He predicted the cooperation pact would create millions of dollars in new business and jobs in Canada.

Senior Canadian officials had said as early as this week that Canada was holding firm to its demands for strict oversight to ensure nuclear materials were not “diverted.”

It says the two countries will establish a joint committee to “share expertise in areas such as research and development, safety, and next generation nuclear facilities,” according to a release issued by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

“Through this arrangement, Canada will receive the necessary assurances on the peaceful use of Canadian exports to India of nuclear material, equipment and technology,” the statement said.

Yet even with this deal in hand, it wasn’t clear when uranium exports could begin.

Canada’s nuclear watchdog must first sign the agreement with India’s Department of Atomic Energy.

Only then will the governments “take the necessary steps to bring the (agreement) into force in a timely manner.”

Yet the accompanying joint statement was vague on its roll-out and even its promised benefits, saying only that Canada “could” become a uranium supplier to India.

While Harper has come to India this week for the broad goal of promoting trade and investment, he also had a specific wish list.

The nuclear pact was one of three priority items on Harper’s agenda, which also included spurring progress on a free trade deal and a financial protection agreement to safeguard investors’ interests.

The two leaders agreed to work to finalize a free trade deal by the end of 2013.

The nuclear cooperation agreement is meant to provide safeguards that nuclear material, equipment and technology from in Canada will only be used only for civilian and peaceful applications, according to the federal government.

“Prime minister, there was another area of great concern for us, which was the revival of anti-India rhetoric in Canada,” Kaur told Harper.

“We have after very hard times got a good situation of peace and progress back in Punjab and in India and we would like that to continue, so it does concern us,” she said.

“I think just to mention it to you so that we continue our common fight against terrorism,” Kaur said.

Harper sought to reassure his Indian hosts that “Canada is a very strong supporter of a united India.”

“This is a view that is shared not just widely in Canada but very widely and very mainstream among our Indo-Canadian community,” Harper said.

“We work very closely with your government on any threats either of us may face,” Harper told Kaur.