Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Israel’s Ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, met with members of Calgary’s Indian diaspora and representatives of the JAI HO Canada Council during his visit to the city, discussing opportunities to strengthen Canada–Israel relations, expand trade and investment partnerships, and enhance cooperation in areas including technology, innovation, agriculture, healthcare, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship.
The meeting brought together community leaders and representatives from Calgary’s multicultural community for an engaging discussion on international relations, economic collaboration, and the important role of diaspora communities in building stronger connections between nations. A key part of the conversation focused on the evolving situation in the Middle East, Canada’s role in global affairs, and the importance of dialogue, stability, and international cooperation. Ambassador Moed shared Israel’s perspective on regional challenges while emphasizing the importance of partnerships based on innovation, shared values, and mutual economic interests.
Speaking to National Times Media, Ambassador Moed said Canada and Israel share a strong and longstanding relationship built on democratic values, innovation, business cooperation, and people-to-people connections. He highlighted the significant potential for expanding collaboration in sectors such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, agriculture, healthcare, cybersecurity, and research. The Ambassador also shared details of his recent meeting with India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, describing the discussions as positive and focused on strengthening India–Israel relations and exploring greater cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and innovation. Ambassador Moed praised High Commissioner Patnaik, describing him as “a great human being and a true representative of India in Canada,” and expressed his desire to continue working closely to further strengthen ties between Israel and India while supporting broader international partnerships.
Ambassador Moed also spoke about his visit to the Calgary Stampede, calling it a very fruitful experience that provided an opportunity to meet important political leaders, business representatives, investors, and community figures from across Canada. He said the Stampede represents more than a world-famous cultural celebration, it is also a valuable platform for building relationships and creating new business opportunities. He added that the connections made during his Calgary visit could help open new avenues for Canada–Israel economic cooperation, encouraging greater trade, investment, and partnerships in key sectors including technology, energy, agriculture, and innovation.
Members of the JAI HO Canada Council and community leaders highlighted the valuable contributions of the Indo-Canadian community to Canada’s multicultural fabric and expressed their commitment to encouraging stronger international cooperation and business relationships. The meeting concluded on a positive note, reflecting the growing importance of diaspora engagement in strengthening diplomatic ties, promoting economic growth, and building bridges between Canada, Israel, and India.
