Brampton [Canada], June 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Canada for the G7
Summit was warmly welcomed by members of the Indo-Canadian community, who hope the visit will mark a turning point in strained India-Canada relations.
Sumit Singh, a Brampton-based Indo-Canadian businessman and immigration consultant, expressed optimism about the visit. “I wholeheartedly welcome Prime Minister Modi to Canada,” he said. “I appreciate Prime Minister Mark Carney’s invitation to Mr. Modi. This is a positive step and I hope it leads to the restoration of normalcy in India-Canada relations.”
Singh also voiced concern over the impact of diplomatic tensions on the Indian diaspora.
“More than 1.5 million people of Indian origin live in Canada. The deterioration of ties over the past two years has been disheartening for them,” he said, adding, “This visit is a sign of hope.”
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Canadian broadcaster Haleema Sadia also hailed the visit as a diplomatic breakthrough.
“To attend the G7 Summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Canada. Our Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has done a tremendous job by extending the invitation and easing tensions,” she said.
“There has been a prolonged period of discomfort and concern among Canadians. This invitation, and PM Modi’s acceptance, will make a significant difference in improving India-Canada relations,” Sadia said.
Vishal Saini, Director of Hindu Forum Canada, also welcomed the visit and emphasised the contribution of Indo-Canadians.
“There are approximately 1.5 million Indo-Canadians who are contributing significantly to both the Indian and Canadian economies,” he said. “Prime Minister Modi’s visit will further strengthen the cultural and economic ties between the two countries.”
Modi’s brief visit to Canada excited the diaspora in Calgary and Alberta, who hoped the trip marks the beginning of a stronger partnership between India and Canada.
Nidhi Lodha shared her delight and said the community was thrilled about the visit. “Indian diaspora in Calgary and Alberta is so happy that PM Narendra Modi is visiting us. The only caviar is that it is a last-minute short visit, so we could not organise a town hall where lots of people could meet him. His visit will start a new era of the Canada-India relationship and partnership, which will grow… With the change of government and stance in Ottawa, and the current reality that Canada needs to diversify economically, this relationship will improve…”
Sunny Sharma, a businessman, noted that Prime Minister Modi had come at the invitation of the Canadian Prime Minister. “In other words, the G7 needs India… Carney knows how to do business and not just politics…”
Anil Mehrotra, another member of the diaspora, said, “… I am very happy that he (PM Modi) is visiting Canada and our current Prime Minister had the courage, despite all the negative pressure on him, to invite Modi Ji. He has done a superb job in India, which is now the fourth-largest economy in the world. It would be a grave mistake for Canada not to have invited India. This visit will hopefully only strengthen the good relations we had, which have soured in the last 3-4 years…”