Question: In which one of the following cities was the third India-Canada Annual Ministerial Dialogue held?
a) Toronto
b) Edmonton
c) Ottawa
d) Hamilton
Ans: (a)
Related facts:
- On 29th September, 2016 the third India-Canada Annual Ministerial Dialogue was held between the Commerce and Industry Minister Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman and the Trade Minister of Canada Ms Chrystia Freeland at Toronto.
- The discussion was focused on outstanding trade and investment related issues like expanding bilateral trade, having more business to business interface.
- Canada will also constitute CEO Forum which will have regular interaction with the CEOs on Indian side and try to expedite the free trade and investment negotiations.
- This was the first high level meet led by a Ministerial level delegation from India after the new Government came to power in Canada.
- Both the countries expressed their strong commitment for taking forward the negotiations relating to the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) and expeditiously conclude a progressive and balanced Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), as a basis for expanding two-way trade and investment.
- Both the sides recognized the importance of FIFA as tool for higher transparency and stability of investments providing greater protection.
- India also took up the issues of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Workers Entry programme.
- This programme has acted as a barrier for the Indian IT companies invested in Canada to source Indian IT professionals as the norms for temporary entry have become more and more difficult.
- The Trade Minister of Canada assured that a Parliamentary Committee is examining these issues and some of these concerns are likely to be addressed.
- Both sides appreciated the need for early setting up of the CEO Forum mechanism which would be instrumental in forming an organic link and suggest the issues concerning the trade to the Governments.
- They could also meet prior to the proposed visit of Canadian Prime Minister to India sometime in 2017 and form Groups for identified sub-sectors and come out with a set of recommendations. This would greatly benefit the discussions during the PM level meeting.
- India and Canada agreed to cooperate at the International Fora on Trade Facilitation Agreement on Services as well as the unfinished agenda items of Doha Round given the common view of both the nations on these issues.
Reference:
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=151234