Canada and India are connected both economically and culturally and there is great potential for even stronger ties between the two countries. Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney is in Delhi, India this week to discuss how to expand and deepen the ties between Canada and India by helping a growing number of Indians to visit, work, study in and immigrate to Canada.

Last year, India was the top source country of immigration to Canada. More than 32,000 Canadian Immigration (permanent resident) visas were issued to Indian nationals, an increase of 13% from 2008.

CIC is also processing more visitor visas than ever before so Indians can visit friends and family in Canada, and is also improving access to visas for Indian students who choose to study in Canadian universities and colleges.

The increase in the number of students from India studying in Canada is likely partly the result of the Canada-in-India Student Partners Program launched earlier this year by CIC in cooperation with the Association of Canadian Community Colleges. Since April 2009, CIC visa offices in India have received more than 9000 applications from Indian students. Before the end of this year, CIC estimates that the number of student visas that CIC issues to Indian students will have tripled over 2008 levels.

"Thanks to the new Canadian Experience Class introduced by our government, many of these bright young Indians will have a convenient way to become permanent residents in Canada if they choose to do so at the end of their studies," Minister Kenney said.

Minister Kenney said that over one million Canadians can trace their ancestry to India.