Haryana Chief Minister Hosts British Columbia Delegation for Strategic Talks
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini held a significant meeting on Friday with a high-level delegation from British Columbia, Canada. The delegation was led by Premier David Eby. This interaction took place in Chandigarh and aimed to explore fresh opportunities for collaboration across multiple key sectors. The primary goal was to strengthen state-province-level cooperation between Haryana and British Columbia.
Key Officials Present at the Meeting
Several senior officials attended the meeting to support the discussions. Chief Principal Secretary to the CM, Rajesh Khullar, was present. Commissioner and Secretary of the Foreign Cooperation Department, Amneet P Kumar, also participated. Their involvement underscored the importance Haryana places on this international partnership.
CM Saini Emphasizes Importance of State-Province Partnerships
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini made strong statements about the value of such engagements. He said the government of Haryana attaches great importance to state-province partnerships. These partnerships play a vital role in deepening India-Canada relations. They also strengthen economic, technological, and people-to-people ties between the two regions.
Saini explained that such engagements help translate shared democratic values into practical cooperation. They foster long-term collaboration that benefits both sides. He described British Columbia as one of Canada's most progressive provinces. It is known for clean energy, technology, logistics, and sustainable development.
Haryana's Strengths and Complementary Opportunities
The Chief Minister highlighted Haryana's own strengths. He said Haryana is a leading industrial and investment hub in India. Its key sectors include automobiles, electronics, IT services, agri-processing, logistics, and renewable energy. Saini pointed out that the complementary strengths of both regions offer ample scope for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Detailed discussions covered several areas of potential collaboration. These included:
- Technology and digital sectors, focusing on IT services, digital platforms, and AI-based solutions.
- Agri-food and food processing sector, with an emphasis on value-added agriculture, cold-chain infrastructure, food safety standards, and export promotion.
Priority Areas and Strategic Alignment
CM Saini drew attention to British Columbia's expertise in specific priority areas. He noted their clean technologies, forward-looking environmental policies, and strong innovation ecosystems. He also mentioned the strategic importance of the Port of Vancouver as a Pacific trade gateway.
These strengths align closely with Haryana's vision for sustainable industrial growth. They support the expansion of global trade linkages from the state. The alignment creates a solid foundation for joint initiatives and investments.
Trade Relations and Future Potential
Referring to trade relations, Saini provided current figures. India-Canada bilateral trade is valued at around USD 9 billion annually. He said this has substantial potential for further expansion. Haryana-Canada trade is estimated at approximately USD 280 million. It is steadily increasing, particularly in engineering goods, auto components, IT services, and processed food products.
Saini expressed confidence that British Columbia can serve as an important platform. It will help enhance Haryana's exports to Canada. This meeting marks a proactive step toward tapping into unexplored opportunities and building a stronger economic bridge between the two regions.
