The High Commissioner of Canada to India, Christopher Cooter accompanied by his wife, paid a courtesy call on Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, and Energy at Lok Seva Bhawan today.
Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Vishal Kumar Dev and Principal Secretary, Forest Environment & Climate Change, and CMD OPTCL Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma were also present during the meeting.
The discussions covered a wide range of areas for strengthening bilateral cooperation between India and Canada, with special focus on Odisha. Key sectors included agri-export, technology collaboration, and bilateral trade.
The Deputy CM Singh Deo highlighted Odisha’s leadership in mineral production, noting that the State accounts for 92% of India’s chromite reserves and has significant deposits of rare earth minerals along its coastline. The potential for Foreign Direct Investment, especially in mining and value-added industries, was explored in detail.
The Canadian delegation expressed keen interest in investment opportunities in Odisha’s automobile sector. The two sides also discussed enhancing bilateral trade and leveraging technology partnerships for sustainable industrial growth.
The Deputy Chief Minister briefed the delegation on the origin of Odisha, its rich heritage, and the current agricultural scenario, underscoring the State’s balanced approach to tradition and modern development. Singh Deo stated that Odisha welcomes global partnerships that bring technology, investment, and market access while ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth.
‘Achiever’ State in the Ease of Doing Business report by the World Bank, Odisha is attracting global investors with its policy stability, infrastructure, and industry-ready ecosystem. Out of the three Green Hydrogen Hubs proposed in India, two will be established in Odisha at Paradeep and Gopalpur. These hubs will anchor the State’s transition from conventional energy to renewable energy, positioning Odisha as a national leader in green technology and decarbonization. The Deputy Chief Minister noted that Canada has expressed interest to invest in dual projects related to clean energy and industrial cooperation.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to further institutional dialogue to take forward the identified areas of cooperation.
