Canadian PM to visit India next month

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be on a week-long visit to India from February 17 to 23 on an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday.

The visit of Canadian Prime Minister is aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries in key areas of mutual interest including trade and investment, energy, science and innovation, higher education, infrastructure development, skill development and space, the ministry said in a press release issued on Monday. "Cooperation in security and counter-terrorism, as well as the exchange of views on global and regional issues of mutual interest, will also form important components of the visit," it added.

Modi had visited Canada in April 2015. Stephen Harper's in November 2012 was the last visit of a Canadian Prime Minister to India.

"Canada greatly values its strong relationship with India. This visit reflects the high level of priority that Prime Minister Trudeau places on this strategic partnership. Prime Minister Trudeau's visit builds on visits by 11 Cabinet Ministers of the Trudeau government in the past 18 months," High Commissioner of Canada to India, Nadir Patel, said.

A press release issued by High Commission of Canada to India said that Trudeau would engage with youth, and visit several landmarks, including the Taj Mahal, Sri Harmandir Sahib (also known as the Golden Temple), the Jama Masjid, and Swaminarayan Akshardham temple.