Trade deal sought

[CHIMO]

OTTAWA—The federal government will work toward signing a NAFTA-style free trade agreement with India, says Deepak Obhrai, the new parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs.

"We should grab the opportunity to get into this growing market now," Obhrai (Calgary East) said in an interview, adding that the Tory caucus firmly supports signing such a deal.

"Signing a free trade agreement with an Asian giant would be the next step forward ... to take advantage of the immense opportunity that is there."

Trade experts say that given the strength and sophistication of both markets, far more goods and services should be flowing between Canada and India. Removing government-imposed tariffs, which serve as a barrier to that trade, is exactly what's needed to give the Canada-India trade relationship the boost it needs, they say.

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