Premier of the Canadian province of Alberta Alison Redford today paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple here.
She was accompanied by Human Services Minister of Alberta Manmeet Singh Bhullar, Assistant Minister Naresh Bhardwaj, and Alberta MLA Peter Sandhu.
They also visited the community kitchen of the temple to partake food. They were honoured by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) officials at the information Centre with a set of Sikh religious books, shawls and a replica of the Sikh shrine.
The Punjab government had yesterday inked an agreement with Alberta to work together in agriculture research, animal husbandry and agri-food endeavours.
Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia and Manmeet Singh Bhullar of Alberta, in the presence of Redford, signed the joint statement here. Under the pact, Punjab and Alberta will work together to identify areas of common interest and to explore opportunities for scheduling joint-exchange programmes for scientists to share their expertise.
Speaking on the occasion, Redford said they were visiting India to explore areas of deeper cooperation, notably in the energy and agriculture sectors, and promote Alberta as an investment destination.
"Our trade mission to India is an important occasion to build on Alberta's strong relationship with one of the world's fastest-growing economies," she said.
"The signing of a Joint statement on agriculture with Punjab is a concrete step towards increasing trade and cooperation opportunities to the mutual benefit of Alberta and Punjab," Redford said.
