Canada watches with fingers crossed

Canada watches with fingers crossed


During his much-hyped visit here, President Barack Obama has danced with school children, won points by praising led lights Mahatma Gandhi and, in what will surely be seen here as the highlight of his trip, said the U.S. supports a permanent seat for India on the United Nations Security Council.

India has been mesmerized, and there are few corners of this nation of 1.2 billion that haven’t been immersed in news coverage of Obama’s trip — including the leafy grounds of the Canadian mission in New Delhi.

India’s economy is surging 9 per cent a year and Obama hopes to harness its new wealth in ways that will help to Hemroids spur America’s flagging industries. Canadian diplomats here are firmly rooting for the U.S. president. That’s because if the U.S. increases its trade with India, diplomats and business leaders say, Canada stands to reap some of the benefits.

“The Canadian and U.S. economies are so dependent on one another, although we’re like the junior partner in   replica uhren that relationship,” said Olivier Courteaux, an expert on Canada-U.S. relations and an assistant history professor at Ryerson University.

“Look at Canada’s exports. Eighty-five per cent of them go to the U.S. If Obama is successful in India, it’s going to help Canada as well.”

Obama had hoped to help Boeing finalize a $5 billion deal to sell 10 C-17 transport planes to the Indian government during his visit and while no pact has been announced, U.S. officials say they are confident an agreement will be reached.

Also in the works are plans by energy saving light Boeing to bid for a $10 billion contract with India to replace old Russian-made fighter planes with new jets. That contract could be awarded next year.

Both Boeing deals could ultimately be wins for Canada. The aerospace company says it contributes $1 billion in business to Canada’s economy and it employs 1,600 in Ontario, Quebec, B.C. and Manitoba.

Obama has also promised America’s support for India to join the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, a deal that has been endorsed by General Electric.

India’s inclusion in that select group could ultimately benefit Canada-based Cameco, the world’s largest uranium producer, and Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., the maker of CANDU nuclear reactors. India plans a drastic expansion of its nuclear power plants.

Even Canada’s auto sector could benefit from warmer U.S.-India relations.

Last month, General Motors sold 10,051 vehicles in India, up 36 per cent over October 2009. Ford’s sales were up 161 women handbags per cent. Both companies have large Canadian operations that would benefit from more orders from India, diplomats here said.

As his three-day visit here drew to a close, Indian commentators were calling Obama's trip a success. The president was trying to charm his hosts by salting his speech Monday with Hindi phrases like “Jai Hind,” which translates loosely to “Hail India.”