(a) whether Canada proposes to lift sanctions imposed on India in May 1998 following the Pokhran nuclear tests as reported in the Times of India dated March 21, 2001;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the volume of trade between the two countries during each of the last four years;
(d) the volume of trade likely to increase as a result of the lifting of the sanctions;
(e) whether Canada also proposes to relax its immigration rules; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI U.V. KRISHNAM RAJU)
(a) & (b) Government have seen the report in Times of India dated March 21, 2001 regarding lifting of sanctions on India by Canada. The Foreign Minister of Canada announced on 20th March 2001 that the Government of Canada will pursue the broadest possible political and economic relationship with India and encourage bilateral ministerial visits, resume full Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) programming in India, including industrial cooperation, and provide support to culture and sports, suspended since May 1998.
(c) The volume of two-way trade between the two countries in the last four years have been as follows:
Rs.2365.56 crores in 1996-97 Rs.3154.30 crores in 1997-98 Rs.3612.11 crores in 1998-99 Rs.4183.24 crores in 1999-00