<p>Canadian High Commissioner Stewart G Beck said the Nuclear Power Agreement (NCA) signed with India in June last year ending a 36-year-old freeze in civil nuclear cooperation is likely to be ratified by parliament in his country next month.<br /><br />"It will also have to be ratified by Indian Parliament," he told PTI, adding, ratification of the agreement and negotiating its administrative arrangements were necessary before the accord can be implemented.<br /><br />"Once in place, the agreement will allow India access to Canadian nuclear technology, equipment and fuel," the envoy said.<br /><br />The agreement, signed in the presence of Prime Minster Manmohan Singh and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit last year, was considered a landmark step in bilateral cooperation in view of Canada's strong attitude in the past when it slapped sanctions against India after the Pokhran I and II tests in 1974 and 1998.<br /><br />Canada was also hopeful of sealing the crucial a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in the next six months, the High Commissioner said, adding his country has identified India as a priority country for strategic engagement.<br /><br />"A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is an FTA from our perspective. <br /><br />It is aimed at promoting market opening policies and stands to become one of the most important building blocks in constructing a broader, deeper bilateral relationship," Beck said.<br /><br />Pointing out that there remains much untapped potential, he said both the countries have a trillion-dollar economy, yet bilateral trade is to the tune of four billion dollars per year.<br /><br />He said both Harper and Singh are determined to change this and have committed to raise bilateral trade to 15 billion dollars within five years.</p>.<p>The High Commissioner said Canada is particularly well placed to collaborate with India in knowledge-based industries. "This is largely due to the tremendous investments Canada has made to support the country's research and investment infrastructure," he said.<br /><br />He said Canada aims to build a more robust bilateral partnership with India based on mutual political, academic and commercial priorities.<br /><br />Beck was in the city to deliver a key note address at an international conference organised by the Centre for Canadian studies, Department of Economics, Maharaja Sayajirao University and Federation of Gujarat Industries.<br /><br />The NCA will enable India to import Canadian atomic equipment and technology and secure uranium by providing the Canadian nuclear industry access to the expanding multi-billion dollar Indian nuclear market.<br /><br />The Nuclear Suppliers' Group, a cartel which trades in nuclear fuel, equipment and technology, lifted a 34-year ban on India in 2008. US, France and Russia are among the countries with which India has civil nuclear pacts. </p>
<p>Canadian High Commissioner Stewart G Beck said the Nuclear Power Agreement (NCA) signed with India in June last year ending a 36-year-old freeze in civil nuclear cooperation is likely to be ratified by parliament in his country next month.<br /><br />"It will also have to be ratified by Indian Parliament," he told PTI, adding, ratification of the agreement and negotiating its administrative arrangements were necessary before the accord can be implemented.<br /><br />"Once in place, the agreement will allow India access to Canadian nuclear technology, equipment and fuel," the envoy said.<br /><br />The agreement, signed in the presence of Prime Minster Manmohan Singh and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit last year, was considered a landmark step in bilateral cooperation in view of Canada's strong attitude in the past when it slapped sanctions against India after the Pokhran I and II tests in 1974 and 1998.<br /><br />Canada was also hopeful of sealing the crucial a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in the next six months, the High Commissioner said, adding his country has identified India as a priority country for strategic engagement.<br /><br />"A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is an FTA from our perspective. <br /><br />It is aimed at promoting market opening policies and stands to become one of the most important building blocks in constructing a broader, deeper bilateral relationship," Beck said.<br /><br />Pointing out that there remains much untapped potential, he said both the countries have a trillion-dollar economy, yet bilateral trade is to the tune of four billion dollars per year.<br /><br />He said both Harper and Singh are determined to change this and have committed to raise bilateral trade to 15 billion dollars within five years.</p>.<p>The High Commissioner said Canada is particularly well placed to collaborate with India in knowledge-based industries. "This is largely due to the tremendous investments Canada has made to support the country's research and investment infrastructure," he said.<br /><br />He said Canada aims to build a more robust bilateral partnership with India based on mutual political, academic and commercial priorities.<br /><br />Beck was in the city to deliver a key note address at an international conference organised by the Centre for Canadian studies, Department of Economics, Maharaja Sayajirao University and Federation of Gujarat Industries.<br /><br />The NCA will enable India to import Canadian atomic equipment and technology and secure uranium by providing the Canadian nuclear industry access to the expanding multi-billion dollar Indian nuclear market.<br /><br />The Nuclear Suppliers' Group, a cartel which trades in nuclear fuel, equipment and technology, lifted a 34-year ban on India in 2008. US, France and Russia are among the countries with which India has civil nuclear pacts. </p>