Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Featured Speaker at Canada-India Business Council Diwali Gala and Awards, Toronto, Oct. 17

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be the special guest at this year’s Canada- India Business Council dinner in Toronto, celebrating Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights.

The Prime Minister will be joined by Harinder Takhar, CEO of Paytm Labs, part of India’s largest mobile payments platform — which has located its global research centre in Toronto.

The gala, which will be attended by many of Canada’s top business leaders and innovators, takes place at the Arcadian Court, 401 Bay St., 8th floor beginning at 6 p.m.

“We’re delighted to have the Prime Minister speak to the growing ties between Canada and India,” says Kasi Rao, President and CEO of the Canada-India Business Council.

“The coming year provides a strategic window for us to deepen our business opportunities. As well, we’re doubly honoured to welcome Mr. Harinder Takhar, whose company provides great jobs and technology development in both countries.”

Paytm Labs has attracted leading-edge researchers to its office in Toronto’s downtown because of the vibrancy that Canada offers, especially to technology and start-up companies.

Paytm represents the latest example of an innovation highway between Canada and India. Its mobile payments platform is one of the largest in the world.

The gala will also have International Trade Minister François-Philippe Champagne provide an assessment of the latest developments relating to trade. Also attending will be Navdeep Bains, who is Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister of Small Business and Tourism Bardish Chagger.

Three important awards will be given at the gala: the Thomas Bata Award for corporate excellence, the Roy MacLaren Humanitarian Award and the Council’s Member of the Year.

India is among the fastest-growing markets in the world, with 1.3 billion people, with projected GDP growth exceeding 7 per cent.

Two-way trade between Canada and India was about $8 billion in 2016. As well, Canadian institutional investors are among the most significant global investors in India.

“Trade and investment between our two countries is going up and our ties are getting stronger — but far more needs to be done. There is a strategic window ahead of us and Canada can capitalize on it,” Mr. Rao said.

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