Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, called for closer relations between Canada and India at the 12^th National Diwali Celebrations in Ottawa Wednesday.

“Friends and partners we are indeed, Canada and India, but friends we should also be doing more together,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister will be visiting India from November 3 to 9, 2012. He will be accompanied by Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food,  Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), and Tim Uppal, Minister of State (Democratic Reform), along with representatives of the business and cultural sectors.

The Prime Minister was the guest of honour at the National Diwali Celebration organized by Hon. Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce was one of the organizers of the event.

PM Harper said, “Our countries relations have been developing and deepening rapidly in recent years. They are based on a solid foundation of things such as language, a federal system of government, a commitment to democracy and pluralism, and the shared cultural experiences like the event we are sharing this evening. There is, however, a lot of room for the relationship to grow, especially in areas of trade and investment. So, I look forward to another productive visit to India.”

Speaking about the National Diwali celebrations, and linking it to the success of the million-strong Indo-Canadian community, the Prime Minister observed that the Diwali celebrations are “an annual reminder that Canada’s embrace of pluralism is not just an act of faith, but it is a product of experience. It further reminds us that Canada welcomes immigrants from everywhere on earth and provides to all a chance to get ahead, to make better lives for our families, and to contribute to our communities and our country.”

He emphasized, “The success of Canada’s Indo-Canadian community is a testament to this fact. It is almost a million strong; you are leading Canadian doctors and lawyers, professors and teachers, public office holders, successful business men and women, and hard-working employees. All across Canada, you have prospered. And as good Canadians, you have brought and continue to honour the tradition of charitable giving that is such an important part of Diwali.”

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Deepak Obhrai said: “Today, Diwali is truly a national Canadian celebration. People have travelled from all across the country to be a part of this national celebration. We had a guest list of over 800 people registered to attend the event. I had to request our community organizations to prune their lists, because this hall cannot accommodate all the people.”

Deepak thanked Prime Minister Stephen Harper for his unwavering support for the National Diwali Celebration, by attending the event six times as Prime Minister. “His support has kept this dream alive. The credit goes to the Prime Minister for making this the National Diwali Celebration.”

Naval Bajaj, President, Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC), said, “The festival light is a celebration of the good over evil and has traditionally been a time for renewal both personal and public. The National celebration of Diwali in Ottawa in the presence of Honourable Prime Minister Harper is appropriate and apt because he epitomizes renewal of the Canada-India relations like no other leader in Canada’s recent history.”

He observed that the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Stephen Harper to India would further intensify the bond between Canada and India. “For the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce this cooperation is a vindication of its belief that Canada and India are natural allies, especially in the economic sphere,” he added.

The ICCC head said that the Prime Minister during his India visit should work with the Indian government to announce the celebration of the Year of Canada in India perhaps in 2013 or 2014. “This would further intensify close bonds that the two countries enjoy.”

The Year of India in Canada was celebrated in 2011.