Vol 15 7th International Day of Yoga in

1st July 2021 7th International Day of Yoga was celebrated in Canada with enthusiasm despite Covid situation. Yoga Sessions were held daily beginning from 25 May. These were specially curated by renowned organizations like Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, Isha Foundation and Patanjali Yoga Contents Centre and Vedic Sanskruti. A Special Yoga Session for Parliamentarians was organised by the High Commission on 20th June, led by Hon. Chandra Arya, MP from Nepean. High Commissioner participated in the th event curated by Art of Living. Physical Yoga sessions were conducted 7 International at the Major Hill Park and at Ken Ross Park, Nepean. A 2-day Yoga Day of Yoga in Workshop was organized by Vedic Sanskruti. Rt. Hon. , Canada , issued a letter supporting Yoga events in the run-up to IDY 2021. In all, 82 programmes promoting and showcasing Yoga were organized across Canada as part of IDY-2021. News Round-up

High Commissioner’s Corner

Arts & Culture

Business

Community ‘Yoga For Parliamentarians’

Vibes

Advisories

Yoga Session at Major Hill Park

Page 1 of 10 Yoga at Niagara Falls, Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Justin Yoga in Vancouver, Yoga in Hot Air Balloon, th British Columbia Toronto Trudeau’s message on 7 International Day of Yoga

NEWS ROUND-UP 47th G7 Summit World Environment Day Prime Minister Shri participated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched th virtually as a guest at the 47 G7 Summit at , a series of projects on World Environment th England on 12 June 2021. Highlights of his address: Day on 5th June 2021

Covid-19 Case Positivity Decline in Vaccination Updates for India

Page 2 of 10 Farewell to Mr. Nadir Patel #India Fights Corona nd In a virtual farewell interaction on 2 June 2021, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringala bade farewell to the outgoing Canadian High Commissioner Nadir Patel, after a 6 and half year term. Foreign Secretary stated that Mr. Patel will be remembered as a friend of India & for his contribution to strengthening India-Canada relations.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar at BRICS FM’s meeting External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar participated in the meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations on 1st June, 2021. “BRICS has evolved its own unique model of engagement that is based on consensus. Our collective endeavour is also to ensure that global decision-making reflects contemporary realities. To this end, we have identified four key deliverables for our Chair ship - Reform of the Multilateral System, Counter Terrorism Cooperation, Using Digital and Technological Solutions to achieve SDGs, and Enhancing People to People Cooperation” he stated in his remarks. India assumed Chairship of BRICS in its 15th Anniversary year, 2021. BRICS was formed in 2006.

Indian global tech firm Mphasis to set up Canadian headquarters in Calgary

A major Indian international information technology firm, Mphasis, plans to create up to 1,000 jobs as it sets up its Canadian headquarters in Calgary, officials announced on 2 June 2021. Mphasis has formed a partnership with the University of Calgary and the Provincial Government of Alberta to establish the Quantum City Centre of Excellence, which is intended to become a hub for companies pursuing the commercial development of quantum technologies.The University of Calgary, Calgary Economic Development and Invest Alberta have collaborated in bringing this venture to Calgary.

Page 3 of 10 EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar meets Foreign Minister of Canada Hon. Marc Garneau

EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar met Hon. Marc Garneau, Foreign Minister of Canada on the margins of on 29th June 2021 and discussed expanding ties in the Indo-Pacific region, trade, economic co-operation & bilateral relations.

An India- Canada vaccine collaboration

Providence Therapeutics, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, has partnered with Indian Firm Biological-E, based in Hyderabad for manufacturing PTX-Covid 19-B vaccine. First supply of 30 million doses will be produced by the Canadian firm, while the Indian partner will manufacture 600 million to 1 billion doses subsequently. Phase 2 trials of the vaccine will take place in June 2021.

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S CORNER

Canada’s Assistance for Covid-19 Second Wave in India

High Commissioner Shri Ajay Bisaria had a discussion on 1st June 2021 with Hon. Karina Gould, Minister for International Development of Canada on improved public health situation in India after the brutal second wave of Covid-19. He also thanked her for solidarity and assistance from Canadian Government and people through

Red Cross Canada. Shri Ajay Bisaria Hon. Karina Gould High Commissioner Minister for International of India Development of Canada

Page 4 of 10 A promising future of India-Canada relations, meeting with Ananta Aspen Centre

High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria had an interaction with Dr. Naushad Forbes, Chair of Ananta Aspen Centre, on the promising future of India-Canada relations. The virtual event on 8th June, focused on multiple economic operations in the next decade.

Meeting with Ontario Pension Plan

High Commissioner had a meeting on 4th June 2021, with the team Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan on emerging innovative operations in India. More than 40 funds in Canada have some USD 1.5 trillion assets under management, many with strong exposure, returns in India.

High Commissioner’s interview with The Globe & Mail

High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria had a telephonic interview on 8th June2021, with The Globe & Mail Newspaper on the topic “From tragedy to transformation: How Canada and India can help each other recover from COVID-19”.

High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria emphasized “We’re not safe until everyone is safe.” and said India has ambitious plans to vaccinate all adults by the end of this year. India & Canada can learn from each other about bolstering public health systems and strategize on solving shared challenges such as vaccine roll-outs. Vaccinations, Information sharing, strengthening public systems and global cooperation for pandemic preparedness are the tour key elements we have to work on, he said.

Insights on the Indo- Pacific, a three-way conversation between , Canada & India High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria had a three-way conversation on Indo-pacific region between Canada, Japan & India on 10th June 2021, in a session along with former Premier of British Columbia, Christy Clark, Ambassador Kawamura of Japan. President & CEO of Canada India Business Council, Victor.T.Thomas hosted the event.

Page 5 of 10 Virtual tour of the Supreme Court of Canada High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria had a virtual tour of the Supreme Court of Canada along with his diplomatic colleagues of Ottawa on 11th June 2021 and a candid interaction with Rt. Hon. Richard Wagner, Chief Justice and current administrator of the Govt. of Canada

A virtual interaction with Shastri Indo Canadian Institute (SICI)

High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria participated at the Annual Meeting of Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute on 19th June 2021, along with eminent speakers. Appreciated the joint efforts made by India & Canada to pandemic crisis & recognized SICI’s tremendous role in this important bilateral corridor to foster higher education & research.

High Commissioner welcomes Russian Ambassador to Canada

High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria welcomed a new colleague in Ottawa on 25th June 2021, ’s Ambassador-designate to Canada, H.E Oleg Stepanov. They discussed the state of international affairs in pandemic times and forward.

Virtual meet with Startup Bridge Canada and other Indian Startups

The future is here in the India-Canada tech corridor! High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria joined Startup Bridge Canada and a cohort of 27 Indian Startups for a virtual meeting on 23rd-25th June 2021, in cutting edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence, 3D Printing, big data. Identified operations in tech super clusters in Canada & in med-tech, high-tech manufacturing, digitization, cleantech.

Page 6 of 10 ARTS & CULTURE

High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria participated in World Multicultural Festival Day organized by India Canada Consortium on 30th June 2021. His Worship Mr. Jim Watson Mayor of Ottawa also participated.

BUSINESS Indian IT Firms growing in Canada (7th June 2021)

India has been a vital partner in the development of Canadian IT Sector. Leading Indian firms continue to invest in Canada- creating jobs and fostering innovation.

India in High Level Dialogue on Energy 2021 (29 June 2021)

“India’s actions are in consonance with the target of holding up the increase in the global average temperature to below 2 Degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels.” Minister R.K.Singh at the Ministerial Thematic forum on Energy Transition ahead of High Level Dialogue on Energy 2021.

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COMMUNITY VIBES

High Commissioner’s meeting with Community Leaders th On 17 June 2021, High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria interacted with leaders of 37 Indian Community organizations from across Canada. He discussed the receding Covid-19 second wave in India, economic prospects, bilateral relations & community affairs. High Commissioner welcomed suggestions on celebration of International Day of Yoga 2021& India @75.

High Commissioner’s visit to Montreal & Quebec

High Commissioner visited Gurudwara Saheb Greater Montreal on 28 June 2021 and met community members. He presented the Special Edition of the book “Sri Guru Nanak Devji” released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Gurudwara Committee. He discussed the welfare of community members during his visit.

High Commissioner High Commissioner visited the Quebec Hindu Mandir in paid respects to Montreal on 29 June 2021. He met with community members Mahatma Gandhi and discussed their welfare. He appreciated the service rendered Statue at Quebec City by the community during pandemic times to the needy. on 29 June 2021.

Global mobility and normal civil aviation are critical to economic recovery, High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria said during his visit to ICAO in Montreal on 28 June 2021. He met with Mr. Salvatore Sciacchitno President of ICAO, Dr. Fang Liu, Secretary General & Mr. Nabil Naoumi, President Air Navigation Commission. Ms. Shefali Juneja, Representative of India to ICAO accompanied the High Commissioner.

Page 8 of 10 Air India flight AI -182 ‘Kanishka’ Homage

High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria and Consuls General in Toronto and Vancouver paid homage to the victims of the terrorist bombing of Air India flight AI-182 ‘Kanishka’ at the Kanishka Memorial at Ottawa, and monuments at Toronto and Vancouver respectively. Ms. Shefali Juneja, India’s Representative to ICAO also paid homage at Montreal.

Global Pravasi Rishta Portal

High Commissioner during his interaction with community members highlighted the Global Pravasi Rishta Portal & encouraged community members to register at the Portal and benefit from its features.

ADVISORIES

 Guidelines for applicants for registering grievance Click here  Advisory for OCI Card holders Click here  Beware about Scam Telephone Calls. See our advisory here

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Compiled by the Press, Information and Culture Wing of the High Commission of India, Ottawa

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India Connect, 1 July 2021, Volume 15

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