23 September 2016
Canada-India Centre of Excellence, Carleton University, Ottawa

The High Commission of India in Ottawa, in collaboration with the Canada-India Centre for Excellence and Indo-Canada Ottawa Business Chamber (ICOBC), organized Canada-India Innovation Conference on September 23, 2016 at Carleton University. The aim of the conference was to highlight and discuss emerging opportunities in Canada and in India in the areas of (a) Innovation: Innovation Agenda, Make in India and (b) Infrastructure and Investment: Energy, Digital Infrastructure, Smart Cities initiative. The conference brought together experts from academia, private sector and government to identify policy, technology, and business collaboration opportunities between India and Canada and explored the possibilities for Canadians to build long-term relationships with their Indian counterparts. Issues of collaboration around funding, resources, technology, knowledge, innovative processes, and human resource development were discussed. Participants and panelists were encouraged to provide "out of the box" solutions to overcome challenges and seize the opportunities emerging inn India.

Addressing the conference, the Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development, H.E. NavdeepBains expressed his happiness that through this conference, the new India is meeting the new Canada. Recalling his Indian heritage, he lauded the opportunity that Canada provided to new comers from all over the globe. He underlined that innovation was more than simple creation of wealth, it was to be part the global value system of innovation and both India and Canada would be benefiting from this spirit, which was core to the Canadian 'innovation agenda'. He emphasized that Canada needed more people and talent and attracting more talents did not take away jobs. It was also important to retain talent as well, he highlighted. He said that young India with a booming middle class was Canada's best is the best partner. He suggested three key areas that both countries should explore for cooperation, viz. clean technology, digital financial technology and cyber security.

Earlier, speaking at the event, Mr. David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of International Trade underlined that in the age of building roads and buildings, the conference was an excellent opportunity to talk about building bridges for business, trade and innovation at a time when some talked about trade protection and building walls. President and Vice-Chancellor, Carleton University Professor Roseann Runte talked of cross cultural interaction and reverse thinking to boost innovation.  High Commissioner of India Mr. Vishnu Prakash, touched upon the reforms that the government of India had done to attract foreign investment in almost all sectors in India. He thanked Carleton University and other partners for being part of this conference.

Other Dignitaries and experts who spoke, moderated and participated in the day long conference included Mr. Brad Loiselle, President, BetterU; Mr. David Watters, President, Global Advantage Consulting Group, Prof. V. V. Krishna, Centre for Studies in Science Policy, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India; Mr. Raj Narula, Founder and CEO, InCa Synergies; Dr. Pauline Rankin, Associate Vice-President, Research and International, Carleton University; Ms. Julie Sunday, DG, Natural Resources Canada; Dr. NimalRajapakse, Vice-President Research and International, Carleton University; Mr. Sacha Gera, Senior Vice-President, GENBAND; Mr. AngsumanRudra, CEO, D-TA Systems Inc.; Dr. SukhwantNannar, Chair, Indo-Canada Ottawa Business Chamber and KrishSuthanthiran, President Kitsault Energy. Many of them shared their experience in doing business in India, both challenges and opportunities.

Deputy High Commissioner of India Mr Arun Sahu summed up the conference and delivered the concluding remarks. He highlighted the possibilities of connecting the minds of both India and Canada to benefit from the global innovation opportunities.

The conference ended with a short cultural function showcasing the cultural richness, diversity and the potential that India offers for cooperation in the area of culture industry.

High Commission of India, Ottawa,
23 September, 2016