New Delhi, Oct 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conveyed to Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand that her India visit would contribute to ongoing efforts to impart new momentum to the India–Canada bilateral partnership.

PM Modi hails ‘new momentum’ in bilateral ties during meeting with Canadian FM

Anand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, called on PM Modi on Monday morning before holding discussions with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar.

Welcoming Anand, Prime Minister Modi recalled his visit to Canada in June this year for the G7 Summit during which he held an “extremely productive” meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney.

“Prime Minister noted the significance of enhanced cooperation between the two countries in trade, energy, technology, agriculture and people-to-people ties. Prime Minister conveyed his warm wishes to Prime Minister Mark Carney and said that he looked forward to their upcoming engagements,” read a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

“I met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning in New Delhi. Building on the momentum of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s meeting with PM Modi this summer at the G7 Summit, Canada and India are elevating the relationship between our countries, while maintaining our law enforcement and security dialogue and expanding our economic relationship,” Anand posted on X after the meeting with PM Modi.

Earlier, EAM Jaishankar said that the ties between India and Canada have been steadily progressing in the past few months, and the two nations are working to restore the mechanisms necessary to advance the partnership.

Welcoming Anand on her first visit to India as Canada’s Foreign Minister, EAM Jaishankar said, “India-Canada bilateral relations have been steadily progressing in the last few months. We are working to restore and reinvigorate the mechanisms necessary to advance our partnership.”

“As Prime Minister Modi noted during his meeting with Prime Minister Carney in Kananaskis, India’s approach is to move forward with a positive mindset. This morning, you met the Prime Minister. You have heard from him personally about our vision of cooperation and how best to realise it,” he added.

He also recalled the “productive” meeting between National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Canadian NSA Nathalie G. Drouin, calling it “an important first step towards enhancing our security cooperation.”

“Our foreign ministries at the level of the secretary of the deputy minister also met on September 19 to review the overall relationship. Our trade ministers spoke recently on October 11. So, when we look at Canada, we see a complementary economy, we see another open society, we see diversity and pluralism, and we believe that that is the basis for a close, sustainable and long-term cooperative framework,” EAM Jaishankar added.

He noted that India and Canada have prepared an ambitious roadmap to advance cooperation in various sectors, including science and technology, civil nuclear collaboration, AI, trade and agriculture.

“I’m glad that the two high commissioners have assumed their responsibilities in our respective capitals and are part of today’s meeting. This is our high commissioner with whom you have spoken,” the EAM added.

“Our responsibility as foreign ministers is to shepherd the process of rebuilding our cooperation and to ensure that it delivers on the expectations of our prime ministers and the interests of our people. It means not only taking initiatives in our particular jurisdiction, but also monitoring and integrating interactions across the entire breadth of the government. I look forward to doing so, working closely with you, Minister,” he added.

Thane: A tragic incident took place in Thane on Sunday evening when a 28-year-old firefighter lost his life and another sustained serious burn injuries while attempting to rescue a pigeon trapped inside an electric box on Diva-Sheel Road.

The deceased has been identified as fireman Utsab Patil (28), while his colleague Azad Patil (29) suffered severe injuries and is currently under treatment at a local civic hospital. The incident occurred around 5 pm and was reported by the disaster management cell of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC).

According to civic officials, the operation was launched after residents reported a pigeon trapped in a high-tension overhead cable box. The bird was stuck at a dangerous position and officials feared that leaving it there could not only lead to its death but also potentially trigger a short circuit or transformer-like blast due to the live electrical connection.

During the rescue, one of the firefighters accidentally came in contact with a high-voltage live wire. The current caused a sudden fire, electrocuting Utsab on the spot and severely burning Azad, who was assisting him. Fellow firefighters quickly pulled them away from the danger zone and rushed them to a nearby civic hospital. Doctors declared Utsab dead on arrival, while Azad remains in critical condition with burn injuries to his hands and chest.

A spokesperson from the TMC described the incident as deeply unfortunate. “ The pigeon got entangled in an overhead cable wire. Unfortunately, one fireman lost his life during the rescue operation and another is battling severe injuries,” the official said.

Authorities have launched an internal inquiry to determine whether the standard safety protocols and protective gear were adequately used during the operation. The Thane Municipal Corporation is expected to release a detailed report after the inquiry.

The Mira-Bhayanda Vasai Virar Police has issued an official notification regarding the ban of heavy and oversized vehicles on the Gaymukh Ghat section of the Ghodbunder Road till October 14 due to the repair works. According to the official notification, the ban will remain effect till 12 am on October 14.

“The work of geometric improvement and asphalting on the Thane-Ghodbunder State Highway (No. 42) in the Gaymukh Ghat section will be carried out by the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation,” the police said in its post on X.

The stretch between the Ghodbunder–Gaymukh Ghat section has been affected by deep potholes and also has major traffic concerns. The chronic traffic issues have long plagued daily commuters travelling between Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai, Virar, and Thane.

Coming back to the official notification, alternative routes (Diversion Routes) have been planned to ensure smooth traffic flow. Notably, the notification also clarified that the light vehicles and vehicles providing essential services are permitted to travel on the route.

For vehicles coming from Palghar–Virar side: Shirsat Phata → Parol → Akololi (Ganeshpuri) → travel via Ambadi.

For vehicles coming from Palghar–Vasai side: Chinchoti → Kaman → Kharbav → Anjur Phata → travel via Bhiwandi.

Vehicles coming from Western Expressway (Mumbai / Kashimira): Versova Bridge → Gujarat Highway → travel via Shirsat Phata / Chinchoti.

Heavy and oversized vehicles coming from Thane / Mumbai: Entry will be restricted at Y Junction / Kapurbawdi and they can take Kharegaon Toll Plaza → Mankoli → travel via Anjur Phata.

On October 12 frustrated commuters took an extraordinary act of protest by playing garba in the middle of the road. This came after an accident involving a container truck near Gaimukh brought traffic to a standstill, leaving thousands of people stranded for hours.