Canada PM Mark Carney Visits India to Reset Ties, Advance Trade Talks with PM Modi
Canada PM Carney arrives in India for four days, focusing on trade, diplomacy, and ties reset.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Mumbai on Friday, commencing a four-day visit aimed at restoring diplomatic relations with India and expanding bilateral trade. The visit comes amid efforts by both Ottawa and New Delhi to diversify economic partnerships and reduce reliance on the United States.
Carney will spend the first two days of his visit in Mumbai before travelling to New Delhi on March 1 for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Analysts note that both leaders are seeking ways to strengthen trade and investment ties while navigating the broader geopolitical influence of the U.S. “Both for India and for Canada, the big picture is one of diversification and reducing overreliance on the U.S.,” said Vina Nadjibulla, vice-president of the Asia Pacific Foundation, calling the U.S. administration under Donald Trump a “catalyst” for accelerated engagement.
The visit follows years of diplomatic strain. Tensions escalated in September 2023 after former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Canadian security agencies had credible evidence linking Indian agents to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Khalistan advocate, in June 2023. India denied the allegations, and both countries expelled senior diplomats. Relations further soured in October 2024 when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police accused New Delhi of involvement in violent criminal networks, charges India also rejected.
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The thaw in relations began when Carney invited Modi to the G7 summit in Alberta in June 2025, resulting in the reappointment of high commissioners. Subsequent meetings at the G20 summit in November 2025 laid the groundwork for formal trade negotiations covering agriculture, digital trade, mobility, and sustainable development. Both sides are keen to explore opportunities in energy, technology, and broader economic cooperation.
India has recently finalized major trade agreements, including a landmark pact with the European Union, while Canada aims to deepen engagement in sectors such as clean energy and technological innovation. India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Dinesh Patnaik, highlighted that several high-level interactions have created a framework for renewed collaboration, though analysts caution that detailed agreements may take time to materialize.
Despite the warming ties, observers note that long-standing issues—including Sikh separatism, free speech concerns, and strategic positioning—remain unresolved. Experts suggest that the success of Carney’s visit in building a durable India-Canada partnership will depend on sustained political commitment beyond immediate geopolitical incentives.
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