They’re on the road trip of a lifetime.

A boisterous caravan of 150 Indian congressmen, scientists and businessmen made their way to Vancouver last week for a two-day conference to strengthen economic and social ties between Canada and India.

‘India Calling’ is by far the biggest Indian delegation to ever visit British Columbia.

Filled with big ideas and bold passion, the Indian delegates arrived eager to help forge one of the most powerful and influential relationships in the world.

"The relationship Canada and India is creating is filled with possibilities," Suresh Prabhu, an Indian member of parliament, told the Asian Pacific Post.

"We can’t just wait for the stars to conspire. We must start at the ground and put in hard work if we want to make dreams a reality."

This year, India Calling organizers - a group of Mumbai-based businessmen with the Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC) - arranged for the delegates to visit Toronto and Vancouver. They had originally scheduled Toronto and New York as their North American destinations, but B.C. sold itself as a better choice at the 11th hour, a pitch bolstered by Premier Gordon Campbell’s entourage visit to Mumbai six months ago which left many a deal to be sealed.

To celebrate B.C. and India’s growing partnership, Premier Campbell joined in the festivities Wednesday night at the Four Seasons Hotel downtown. Standing before a sea of Indian industrialists, he announced that B.C. and India will provide $1 million each to support research, development, and commercialization in life sciences and environmental technologies.

Last year, B.C. exported only $242 million to India (compared with $1.8 billion to China), a trade relationship soon to change.

No stuffed shirt, the Premier debuted his rhythmic talents, shaking and jiving with renowned Bollywood choreographer Shiamak Davar, who led a team of glitzy dancers adorned in yellow sequins.

And much to the delight of his audience, Premier Campbell also launched Bollywood heart-throb Dev Anand’s new autobiography, Romancing with Life. The veteran filmmaker is set to start shooting his next movie in Vancouver, Campbell announced.

"Watching the Premier launch Anand’s book was great fun," said Hitesh Patel, managing director of Guru, a lifestyle clothing brand based in Italy. "He was dancing around on stage too. It was a good time."

Patel joined the delegation to promote Guru in North America.

The brand, famous for its T-shirts and sweatshirts with the daisy logo, is already sold throughout Europe.

The diversity of interests represented with the delegation highlighted just how multi-faceted B.C.’s relationship with the new India actually is.

From life sciences to clothing to energy, the two regions have embarked on a reciprocal relationship in which information and ideas are exchanged in a world increasingly becoming smaller.

"India is hungry for technology," Dr. Vijay P. Bhatkar told the delegation during an afternoon presentation.

As one of the most acclaimed IT leaders in India and the creator of India’s first super0computer, P.A.R.A.M., Dr. Bhatkar emphasized how science will solidify India and Canada’s developing relationship.

"It is our hope that the life sciences can build bridges between the two countries and set the foundation for economic collaboration as well."

During their whirlwind stay in Metro Vancouver, the Indian delegation listened to lectures, attended meetings and visited Vancouver’s college campuses and many tourist attractions.

Last Thursday, the group took a tour of Vancouver’s Inner Harbour.

"Vancouver is one of the best cities in the world," said MP Prabhu. "I wish I could live here forever."

Indeed, throughout the two-day summit, B.C.’s beauty was extolled on multiple levels - not just the province’s natural surroundings, but its people as well.

"Everyone has been so friendly here," Dr.Bhatkar told the Asian Pacific Post.

"The collaboration Canada and India shares has been much better than any another country."

The union of B.C.’s and India’s technologies, education and innovation is seen as a marriage made in heaven to politicians and business stakeholders.

As both regions seek to make their mark on the international stage, they have joined together with a vision of the 21st century, the delegation was told.

"Canada and India are natural partners," said Jefferey Armstrong, a teacher at Vancouver’s Vedic Academy of Sciences and Arts and a friend of Dr. Bhatkar.

"This is just the beginning of something big."