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Canada easing economic sanctions against India

Canada is easing economic sanctions imposed against India after the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests with Ottawa saying it would resume "full co-operation" with New Delhi.

Secretary (West) in the external affairs ministry R S Kalha is currently visiting Canada in the light of "gradual thaw" in bilateral relations between New Delhi and Ottawa, which has shown "pragmatism", an MEA spokesperson said Friday.

Kalha's visit "demonstrates the inclination on both sides to increase interaction as there has been a gradual thaw in bilateral ties, both politically and economically", she said.

After the 1998 nuclear tests, Canada had suspended non-humanitarian developmental assistance to India and opposed New Delhi in multi-lateral lending institutions.

Kalha has met his counterpart and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Gaetan Lavertu as well as leading members of the Indian community in Canada which could form a bridge between the two countries for reinforcing ties, she said.

Canadian Foreign Minister John Manley had said during his visit to India in March that his country wanted to pursue "broadest possible" political and economic relations with New Delhi.

In an effort to match the Canadian "enthusiasm", Kalha has met Canadian International Trade Minister Peirre Pettigrew, who is scheduled to lead a trade delegation to India later this year.

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