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Modi gets Bollywood-style welcome in Toronto

By Smita Prakash
April 16, 2015 02:38 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper were treated to Bollywood tunes upon their arrival at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.

The two leaders witnessed artistes dancing to the popular Tune Mari Entry Aur Dil Mein Baji Ghanti from the Ranveer Singh starrer Gunday and Radha Teri Chunari and Disco Deewane from the 2012 blockbuster Student of the Year, among others.

Prime Minister Modi also shook hands with a large number of his supporters, who clicked photos and shouted "Modi, Modi", excited to see a glimpse of their favourite politician.

One teenage boy's day was made when the Prime Minister agreed to autograph his orange kurta.

Taking his example, Prime Minister Harper also did the same.

In Toronto, Prime Minister Modi will attend a reception hosted by Prime Minister Harper at the Ricoh Colliseum, before attending a dinner hosted by the Indian High Commissioner to Canada Vishnu Prakash for the Indian Diaspora in the North American country.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister met Canadian Governor General David Johnston, before holding a tete-a-tete with his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper.

He also attended a ceremonial reception before being accorded a guard of honour.

Addressing the press, Prime Minister Modi later said that the agreement between the two countries on the procurement of uranium from Canada for India's civilian nuclear power plants launches a new era of bilateral cooperation.

He also expressed the grief felt in India after Ottawa witnessed a 'senseless act of terrorism' in October 2014, reiterating that the two countries share a 'natural partnership' of shared values, adding that both leaders are committed to establish a new framework for economic partnership.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Ottawa on Tuesday, for the third and final leg of his three-nation, nine-day tour.

Canada Defence Minister Jason Kenney, Minister of International Trade Ed Fast, Indian Ambassador to Canada Vishnu Prakash, Canada Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Deepak Obhrai and Canadian MPs Patrick Brown, Royal Galipeau and Devinder Shory were present at the airport to welcome him.

Chief of Protocol of Canada, Angela Bogdan, and Canadian High Commissioner to India Nadir Patel were also present.

Prime Minister Modi's trip to Canada is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 42 years.

Prime Minister Modi arrived here after concluding a successful visit to France and Germany

Smita Prakash
Source: ANI

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