India, Canada likely to sign civil nuclear deal

A number of pacts, including one in the field of civil nuclear cooperation, are expected to be signed on Tuesday between India and Canada, the biggest supplier of the uranium in the world.

A number of pacts, including one in the field of civil nuclear cooperation, are expected to be signed on Tuesday between India and Canada, the biggest supplier of the uranium in the world.

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The two countries are also expected to announce launch of feasibility study for a Free Trade Agreement when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper for the delegation-level talks.

The talks will aim at giving a push to the trade between the two countries which stands at USD five billion, much below the actual potential, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash told reporters in New Delhi.

Both countries are interested in enhancing their ties in the field of trade and investment, agriculture, mining and infrastructure, he said.

After the talks, the two countries are expected to sign a number of pacts, including one in civil nuclear field.

Canada is the largest exporter of uranium and India needs the nuclear fuel to meet its rapidly-growing energy needs.

"We are talking about the civil-nuclear agreement. Three rounds have already been taken place.....There was delegation level talks between the two countries on the issue last week," a source said in New Delhi.

An MoU on culture is also expected to be signed.

Harper, who is on a four-day India visit since Sunday, will also call on President Pratibha Patil.