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The war between Iran, Israel and America is going on continuously. First America and Israel together attacked Iran and now Iran is continuously attacking 7 countries including Israel. Amidst this ongoing tension in the Middle East, good news has come for India. India and Canada on Monday signed an important uranium supply agreement worth $ 2.6 billion i.e. about Rs 23 thousand crore and agreed to accelerate negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). During this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

The purpose of the uranium deal is to ensure long-term supply of fuel for India's peaceful nuclear energy programme. Carney said both sides are aiming to complete a major CEPA trade agreement by the end of 2026. In a joint statement after the talks, Modi said that we have reached an important agreement for long-term uranium supply. We will also work together on small modular reactors and reactors with new technology.

Many MoUs signed

Both countries also signed several MoUs, which include agreements related to cooperation in essential minerals, promotion of renewable energy and cultural exchange. In the presence of both the Prime Ministers, External Affairs Minister S. Documents were exchanged between Jaishankar and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand.

Apart from this, India and Canada agreed on the Terms of Reference for Comprehensive Economic Partnership and signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in the essential minerals sector with the aim of creating strong supply chains. PM Modi gave credit to Carney for taking forward the relations between the two countries. He said that India and Canada have unwavering faith in democratic values. We respect diversity. The welfare of humanity is our common goal. Today we discussed converting this idea into a stronger partnership.

Setting a big economic target, Modi said both the countries aim to take bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. He said that it is our priority to bring out the full potential of economic cooperation. Therefore, we have decided to finalize the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement soon. This will create new investment and employment opportunities in both the countries. Carney called the uranium deal a major step forward and reiterated Ottawa's intention to complete CEPA negotiations by 2026.

Talk was also held on these sectors

The leaders also emphasized on increasing cooperation in schemes related to renewable energy and climate. Modi welcomed Canada's decision to join the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuel Alliance and announced that the two countries will hold an India-Canada Renewable Energy and Storage Summit this year. In the field of technology and innovation, Modi said that both the countries are natural partners. He emphasized on increasing cooperation in areas like AI, quantum technology, supercomputing and semiconductors.

Relationships between people and partnerships related to education were also special. Modi announced new university collaborations in AI, healthcare, agriculture and new technology and said the two countries have agreed to open campuses of Canadian universities in India. An agreement was also signed to strengthen cultural exchanges, including enhancing engagement between tribal and indigenous communities. Carney, who reached India on February 27 on the invitation of PM Modi, is on his first official visit. He started his journey from Mumbai before going to New Delhi for delegation-level talks. After completing his program he will leave on Monday itself.

In the talks between the two leaders, special attention was paid to reviewing the progress made in trade, investment, energy, essential minerals, agriculture, education, research, new discoveries and people-to-people relations under the India-Canada strategic partnership. Both the leaders also shared their views on the regional and global situation. Apart from formal talks, Modi and Carney also participated in the India-Canada CEOs Forum, where emphasis was laid on further strengthening trade and investment ties.