With the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum known for its networking opportunities for government and business leaders, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath began his own set of bilateral talks at this ski resort.

Kamal Nath, who is leading a 50-member Indian delegation here, kicked off his bilateral talks with Canadian Minister for International Trade James Peterson during which they decided to set up a joint study group on economic ties.

The study group at the official level would look into the possibility of a comprehensive economic partnership between the two countries. Canada, Paterson said, was keen on looking at India as a stepping-stone in the region.

In this regard, he specifically mentioned the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) where Canada wants market entry.

Agreeing to visit India with a 300-member business delegation in April, Paterson offered his country as a base for New Delhi to enter the North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA).   

Kamal Nath also met European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson and has lined up meetings with US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick and senior ministers from South Korea, the Netherlands, Germany and Chile.