India and Canada today agreed on upgrading scientific cooperation in the wake of the tidal disaster, with Canada offering technical aid in setting up a tsunami warning centre. Both sides also agreed to step up overall cooperation in environment and health sectors.In a joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Canadian Premier Paul Martin, the two sides stated that they recognised the need for a multilateral initiative for a regional warning system as a measure to be prepared for such disasters.Martin, who is accompanied by Canadian National Science Advisor Arthur Carty and renowned tsunami expert Tad Murthy, said: ‘‘Canada wants to participate along with India, recognising the absolute necessity of having an early warning system.in this part of the world.’’‘‘We have agreed that in developing an early warning system, our two countries will cooperate with other like-minded countries,’’ PM Singh said at a joint media interaction.On the issue of civilian nuclear cooperation, Martin said Canada’s Atomic Energy Corporation contacted India within hours of the tsunami disaster offering help in this area. Further, the two sides agreed to encourage a roundtable of CEOs on trade and investment promotion.Singh, for his part, welcomed Martin’s initiative for a meeting of G-20 leaders to discuss issues of global concern such as terrorism, development and public health. They agreed to work towards the recommendations of the high-level UN panel on threats, challenges and change and reaffirmed their commitment towards contributing to a more representative world body.As for encouraging people-to-people links, the two countries decided to improve visa and consular services. Martin informed the Canadian High Commission now has nine new visa-granting officers and that more was being done to improve the situation.During his 40-minute meeting with President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Martin discussed ways to advance cooperation in science and technology, particularly the prospects of examining joint research and development programmes in the field of stem cell research, biotechnology and nano-technology. Both Singh and Martin were finance ministers at the same time. The Canadian PM , in fact, described Singh as one of ‘‘greatest finance ministers’’, recalling his contribution to the recovery of the Indian economy in the early 90s.
