Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper have reaffirmed their commitment to joint industrial research and development projects through the International Science and Technology Partnership Program, endorsing the annual contribution of CAD one million by both countries.
In the joint statement released by the two leaders, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Harper appreciated the ongoing bilateral cooperation in science, technology and innovation and its role in improving the lives of their citizens. They noted several successful Indo-Canadian research and development projects and their benefits to the larger society.
The two leaders took particular note of the partnership between the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability (IC-IMPACTS) and the National Mission for Clean Ganga to find innovative technological solutions to clean the river Ganga; the 'Water for Health' collaboration between Indian's Department of Biotechnology and IC-IMPACTS; and the 'Safe and Sustainable Infrastructure' and 'Integrated Water-Management' initiatives with the Indian Department of Science and Technology. They also agreed to support further joint projects on safe and sustainable infrastructure and integrated water management and public health.
In order to facilitate enhanced cooperation in all these areas, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Harper welcomed the convening of the biennial meeting of the fifth Canada-India Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee in June and urged the committee to explore new mechanisms to further augment bilateral engagement in science, technology and innovation.
The two leaders also welcomed the inclusion of Canadian and Indian startups in the Canadian Technology Accelerator initiative. Canada welcomed India's offer to be a Partner Country in the 2017 Technology Summit to be hosted by India.
Recognising the importance of improving maternal, newborn and child health, which is a development priority for both countries, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Harper welcomed an investment of CAD 2.5 million in five health innovations in India by Grand Challenges Canada and its Indian partner - the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology. India and Canada have also agreed to accelerate ongoing efforts towards the elimination of Visceral Leishmaniasis in India by jointly supporting an existing Grand Challenges Canada project.
Recognising India's satellite launch capabilities and Canada's expertise in satellites and astronomy, the two leaders expressed satisfaction at the rapid expansion and intensification of India-Canada space cooperation, including the launch of Canadian satellites. They welcomed the renewal of the MoU on Space Cooperation between the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Canadian Space Agency.
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With a shared interest in promoting collaborative research in frontier areas of science, the two leaders welcomed the proposed collaboration between the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem) of India, and the Stem Cell Network of Canada in stem cell research, including possible research student exchanges.
In the interest of public health and recognising the need to strengthen bilateral engagement and exchange information in the areas of safety, efficacy, and quality of therapeutic products, including cellular therapy products, as well as on traditional medicines, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Harper also agreed to establish a dialogue between relevant federal departments of the two countries in order to facilitate cooperation.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister met Canadian Governor General David Johnston, before holding a tete-a-tete with Prime Minister Harper.
He also attended a ceremonial reception before being accorded a guard of honour.
Addressing the press, Prime Minister Modi later said that the agreement between the two countries on the procurement of uranium from Canada for India's civilian nuclear power plants launches a new era of bilateral cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi's trip to Canada is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 42 years.
Prime Minister Modi arrived here after concluding a successful visit to France and Germany.