Statement by Liberal Party of Canada Leader Justin Trudeau on India’s Independence Day

TORONTO – The Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement in recognition of India’s Independence Day:

“This year marks India’s 69^th Independence Day – an occasion that will be celebrated by more than one million Indo-Canadians across our country.

“India continues to represent an enduring model of a strong, stable democracy in the world. Together, our nations stand as a testament to the fact that countries can prosper not in spite of their diversity, but precisely because of it.

“As we gather to mark this year’s celebration, let us also reflect on a great Indian and world leader who we lost this year, Abdul Kalam.

“India and Canada are very fortunate to have strong ties, built in large part around the important contributions of the Indo-Canadian community to our national fabric. I was honoured to have met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi just a few months ago, where I reiterated my view that we must continue to strengthen and expand the economic and cultural links between our two countries. If elected, a Liberal government will preserve and grow our bilateral trade relationship.

“On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada, Sophie and I are delighted to extend our best wishes to all those marking India’s Independence Day.”