RT HON. JUSTIN TRUDEAU (Prime Minister of Canada): Hello everyone. I’d like to begin by thanking our host, Prime Minister Modi, for the warm welcome he has extended to our team and to the entire delegation. As many of you know, the Prime Minister and I have met many times prior to this visit, from the COP 21 environmental conference in Paris, to several G20 meetings, to the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, and just a few weeks ago, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. After all, we share not only a rich history, but a set of values that encourages a natural friendship between our two countries.

Prime Minister Modi, it is such a pleasure and a privilege to finally be with you here in India, and I look forward to continued partnership for the years to come.

I’m glad to say that we just wrapped up productive meetings during which we discussed issues of mutual interest in the future of the Canada-India partnership. As you saw from the Prime Minister’s words, many topics were on the agenda this morning, and instead of repeating all of them, I’d like to focus on three specific areas.

First, we talked about how we can work together to create growth in a way that benefits Indians and Canadians alike. India has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It has strengthened its position as an economic powerhouse and a world leader in the areas of innovation and technology, among others. We have an opportunity to expand our partnership and realize the untapped potential of our trade links, while also empowering women.

Earlier this week, we took a major step in that direction when I announced a billion dollars in investment between Canada and India, which will create nearly 6,000 good jobs for Canadians.

Earlier this week, we took a major step in strengthening our economic relationship when I announced a billion dollars in two-way investments between Canada and India which will create 5,800 good, middle-class jobs back home in Canada. Now this is great news for both Canadians and Indians. Whether it’s a Canadian firm exporting to India, or India’s global companies creating jobs for Canadians, we all win. This is vote of confidence from the Indian business community in the future of the Canada-India partnership.

As Canada looks to diversify its own economy and looks for new opportunities to do business beyond its borders, India is a natural partner and a trusted friend for commercial cooperation. To this effect, Prime Minister Modi and I welcomed the conclusion of and progress on cooperation agreements in areas such as civil nuclear science and technology, information technology, automotive sector cooperation, intellectual property, smart cities, and customs enforcements.

That said, a renewed economic partnership must create jobs and help families get ahead. As governments, we have the responsibility to set the right parameters for economic relationships to flourish in a way that benefits everyone, not just the wealthiest few. I know that Prime Minister Modi and I are united in that ambition.

We then discussed our commitment to fighting climate change. The Prime Minister and I know that the economy and the environment go hand in hand. We spoke of the importance of accelerating the worldwide transition to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy sources. We agreed to work together on research and development. We also decided to expand the scope of the Canada-India Ministerial Dialogue on energy to include all energy sectors that could facilitate access to clean energy, in anticipation of the fourth meeting, which will be held this fall in Canada.

Let’s be clear: climate change is the biggest challenge of our time. Canada and India are not just in a position to act, but to take the lead internationally. We remain steadfastly committed to implementing the Paris Agreement in its entirety so that our children and our grandchildren can enjoy everything our world has to offer them, for years to come.

Lastly, we discussed deepening and strengthening people-to-people ties. Canada is home to more than 1.3 million people of Indian descent. India and Canada are united, not only by their common ambition to create more opportunities for people to get ahead, but by a shared set of values. Values like respect for the democratic tradition, pluralism, and diversity. 

But while our history is something we can all be proud of, I am most inspired by the prospect of our shared future. The youths of Canada and India are growing closer every day, and that gives me great hope in what we will be able to achieve in the years to come. Last year, about 125,000 Indian students chose to pursue their studies in Canada, making India the second largest source of international students for Canada’s universities, colleges and schools, and we expect this record number to keep growing in 2018.

But that is just one of the ways that Canada and India are strengthening our relationship each and every day. These students quickly become ambassadors of the relationship between Canada and India as they forge lasting bonds between our countries. After this week-long visit, I can say with confidence that my government is more determined than ever to expand and strengthen the relationship between Canada and India. And the 11 visits made by our ministers in the last two years are proof of this.

So I am pleased with the important progress we’ve made on issues of mutual interest during our meetings, and once again, I want to thank our host, my colleague, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for his hospitality, and of course, thank you all again for joining us today.

Thank you very much.

UNIDENTIFIED: Thank you Excellency.