Prime Minister Stephen Harper's first day in India was notable for its sharp contrasts, from its start with a somber visit to the site of a major terrorist attack to the surprising sight of the stiff-upper-lipped Canadian leader taking part in a rollicking Bollywood reality dance show.
Harper visited the cities of Mumbai and New Delhi on Monday, the first stops on a high-profile, three-day tour of the country that is home to 1.2 billion people. It is his first visit to India as prime minister, shoring up a gap in his resume his political opponents have tried to exploit.
The prime minister spent much of his day selling Canada as a desirable place to invest and highlighting the need for greater trade ties between the two countries.
"Where we are today, is not where we ought to be. Yes, we are good friends and partners. But we could be better friends and partners," he said during a speech to business leaders at a luncheon in Mumbai.
Harper said the two countries' combined GDP will soon reach $4 trillion, yet trade between the two amounts to just $5 billion.
He said the numbers paint a picture of untapped business potential.
"Let's do the math," Harper told the business leaders in attendance.
"Between us, our combined GDP is well on the way to $4 trillion. Yet at the moment we are only doing $5 billion worth of business per year. Where we are today is not where we ought to be."
The prime minister also said that "the South Asian tiger has awoken and the world is standing in awe." He spoke about the advantages of investing in Canada, and he recited the many ties that the two countries share -- including pluralistic parliamentary democracy, federalism and more than 1 million Canadians who claim Indian heritage.
Canada, said Harper, has "one of the most welcoming environments for investment in the world and has the resources necessary to meet India's growing energy and infrastructure needs."
While Harper talked much about investment opportunities in Canada, he downplayed any suggestion that he would be signing two anticipated bilateral deals that have been expected for some time.
"On the subject of nuclear energy, it is my sincere hope that our two governments will complete our bilateral nuclear co-operation agreement soon," said Harper, alluding to a pending deal that was first announced back in January.
Harper said Canada is also "keen" to complete a foreign investment protection deal, but that too remains under negotiation.
The first day of the prime minister's trip was also highlighted by a visit to the set "Dance Premier League" in Mumbai. Harper and his wife, Laureen, were treated to a mujra-inspired Bollywood dance number.
The Harpers sat through a few performances, before joining the ensemble on the stage for the finale, clapping as traditional clad dancers moved around them.
Harper visits site of attacks
Earlier Monday, Harper toured Chabad House, a Jewish center in Mumbai that was attacked by Muslim extremists a year ago. More than 170 people died during the deadly attacks, which made worldwide headlines last November.
Next, Harper travelled to a posh Mumbai hotel to meet with Indo-Canadian Bollywood star Ashkay Kumar, to promote tourism ties with India.
Kumar, the prime minister said, will serve as a torchbearer for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Later Monday, Harper travelled to New Delhi, where he will attend meetings with Indian officials on Tuesday.
The trip marks a chance for Canada to improve its relationship with India, which has eroded since the 1970s.
"Back then, there was a dispute between India and Canada, largely around a nuclear test that has involved some Canadian material," CTV's Graham Richardson said.
"And since then, both sides say they have allowed the relationship to kind of fall by the wayside."
The prime minister has indicated he is interested in improving that relationship, citing newly opened trade offices and a number of recent ministerial visits to India, Richardson said.
Elliot Tepper, a professor of Asian studies at Carleton University, said the prime minister's visit marks a "symbolic step" in the India-Canada relationship.
"Symbolically, this really marks the return of Canada to India in a big way," he told CTV's Canada AM during an interview from Ottawa.
"We were very special friends in the early years of Indian independence, but that waned after the nuclear explosions of 1974 and then 1998. So, this is symbolically very important."
With files from The Canadian Press and CTV's Graham Richardson
