Canadian G-20 Sherpa to visit India ahead of summit

New Delhi, Mar. 3 (ANI): Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Leonard J. Edwards, who is also the Canadian Sherpa (personal representative of the Prime Minister) for the G-8 and G-20 summits in Canada in June, is visiting India on March 2-3 to meet with his Indian G-20 Sherpa counterpart, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Edwards will also participate in the annual India-Canada Foreign Policy Consultations, aimed at advancing numerous bilateral files, and discussion of regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest, a Canadian High Commission release said.

As host of the G-20 Summit this summer, Canada has made global economic recovery a priority.

Despite early signs of recovery, particularly in Asia, continued international cooperation is needed to restore the health of the global economy and lay the foundation for future sustainable growth.

Canada will place emphasis on the need to implement previous G-20 commitments and for countries to continue to strengthen domestic financial regulatory systems and resist protectionism.

In 2009, Canada and India worked closely together within the G-20 to broker consensus around financial sector regulatory reforms.

Edwards will meet with Ahluwalia to further strengthen cooperation among both countries in preparation for the June summit.

Additionally, Edwards will participate in the annual India-Canada Foreign Policy Consultations. On this occasion, he will be able to address numerous bilateral files with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Secretary Vivek Katju.

The consultations will cover several agreements currently discussed between the two countries, such as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA) and cultural cooperation.

They will also review implementation of the Energy memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in November 2009 during the visit of the Canadian Prime Minister, the Honourable Stephen Harper, to India.

Other issues of common interest include cooperation in counter-terrorism and regional issues such as Afghanistan.

Edwards will also call on External Affairs Minister of State Preneet Kaur and on Deputy National Security Advisor Alok Prasad to discuss regional and international issues. (ANI)