By Arvind Padmanabhan

Toronto, June 28 (IANS) The 1.1-million-strong Indo-Canadian community received lavish praise from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who particularly acknowledged their contribution during the difficult times between the two countries.

"The community constitutes a bridge between our two countries that has remained strong and unshakeable even in the most difficult circumstances," the prime minister said in an obvious reference to Canada's reaction following New Delhi's nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998.

"I would like to especially acknowledge their presence here today and wish them even greater success as citizens of Canada," he said at a banquet hosted by his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper.

"We applaud the opportunities they have been given to contribute to their social and economic development," the prime minister said, while also praising the Canadian governments at the federal and provincial levels.

Manmohan Singh said one of the greatest strengths of the North American country was to welcome and assimilate peoples from across the world.

Indian immigrants first landed in Canada in 1897 as lumber workers and labourers from Punjab. Now, some 30 percent of them have jobs as professionals and in top management positions.

There are also 12 Indo-Canadian members of parliament and legislators.