Prime Minister Mark Carney has arrived in India for a four-day visit, a move seen as a significant effort to diversify Canada's trade relationships and rebuild connections with the world's fourth-largest economy. The trip, which began on February 27, 2026, includes stops in Mumbai and New Delhi, where Carney will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss expanding partnerships in key sectors. This visit follows a period of strained relations between Canada and India, particularly after Ottawa's accusations in 2023 regarding India's alleged involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader near Vancouver.
Carney's agenda focuses on elevating the Canada-India relationship through new collaborations in trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence, talent exchange, culture, and defense. He is also scheduled to participate in business engagements and interact with CEOs, industry experts, and Canadian pension funds operating in India. Premiers Scott Moe of Saskatchewan and Susan Holt of New Brunswick are also joining part of the trip. A key objective of the visit is to revive negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with hopes of finalizing an agreement within a year.
The Prime Minister's visit underscores Canada's broader strategy to reduce reliance on the United States and forge stronger ties in the Indo-Pacific region. Talks will also address U. S. President Donald Trump's protectionist trade policies, which are viewed as disruptive to both Canada and India. According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), a revived free trade agreement could significantly boost bilateral trade, with Canada seeking to diversify its trade beyond the U. S., and India aiming for stable markets and secure access to energy and critical minerals.
Despite past tensions, both countries appear committed to pursuing a constructive partnership built on mutual respect and growing economic complementarities. With India's rapidly growing economy and Canada's strengths in energy and technology, this visit could indeed mark a turning point in India-Canada relations.
