Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, just before leaving for New Delhi on a 10-day trade mission, joined the Indo-Canadian community in celebrating India's 67th Republic Day at the Indian mission here.
During her trade mission to India starting from January 27, the premier of Ontario -- biggest and most powerful province of Canada and home to over half a million Indo-Canadian community -- will visit New Delhi, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Mumbai.
The provincial premier in Canada is equal to the state chief minister in India.
Greeting India and the Indo-Canadian community on Republic Day, Wynne said during her trade mission she is expected to sign major bilateral agreements in the areas of clean technology and infrastructure.
"During my trade mission, I will travel to New Delhi, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Mumbai where I will meet with government officials, business leaders and investors and promote Ontario's innovative infrastructure and clean tech sectors," Wynne said.
"This is my first trade mission to India, and I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to taking in some of India's rich cultural history and growing Ontario's partnership with India," the Ontario premier said.
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She credited the huge Indo-Canadian community with fostering Canada's strong relationship with India.
"Ontario boasts the largest Indo-Canadian population in all of Canada, and it's because of these strong ties -- the personal connections we have -- that in 1987 we were the first subnational government to open a trade office in India."
"In those 29 years, we have grown our partnerships with both the government and business, creating jobs and growth on both sides of the Pacific, and we have unlocked new opportunities."
Waynne said her trip to India will be "a turning point -- a chance to build on the foundation, and create an even stronger relationship between Ontario and India -- where our expertise and our goods can support India's growth."
"...I want to thank everyone here today (Tuesday) -- for being part of the dynamic Indo-Canadian community for establishing those irreplaceable person-to-person connections between India and Ontario, and for building a province where we find strength in our diversity."
She said even though Canada has become one of the most multicultural and diverse countries in the world, the country and the world have a lot to learn from India about diversity.
Waynne quoted Gandhi, "Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization."
She said: "We are building a province that reaches for this unity by embracing our diversity and finding strength in the many communities that make up one Ontario. And it's in this same vein of unity and fairness that we celebrate India's Republic Day today (Tuesday)."
Waynne said: "Sixty-six years ago today (January 26) the Constitution of India came into force -- signalling a new era for the entire country. It was a moment of great triumph and celebration for India, and our annual recognition serves as reminder to strive for Gandhi's message of unity through diversity and thriving together in harmony."
"I will carry this powerful message with me when I visit the Rajghat close to the anniversary of Gandhi's death."