Canada PM India visit: Trade, defence ties in focus as high-level delegation accompanies Carney

Ottawa: Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to India starting Friday, accompanied by a high-level delegation including four cabinet ministers and two provincial premiers, signalling Ottawa’s focus on expanding strategic cooperation with New Delhi.

The visit aims to strengthen partnerships in trade, defence, and investment, with discussions expected to centre on launching negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) between Canada and India.

Foreign Minister Anita Anand confirmed her participation, stating that the objective is to “further diversify trade and unlock additional opportunities for Canadians, including enhancing economic sectors and people-to-people ties.”

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne also joined the delegation, emphasising that trade diversification is essential for economic resilience. He said the visit is “key for Canada to have a strategic relationship” with India.

The delegation will also include Defence Minister David McGuinty, reflecting plans to deepen defence collaboration through potential agreements and memoranda of understanding.

Provincial leaders Scott Moe of Alberta and Susan Holt of New Brunswick will accompany the prime minister, along with economic and security adviser Matt Jeneroux.

The visit is expected to build on diplomatic reset efforts following tensions that emerged in 2023. Relations improved after Carney became prime minister in 2025 and met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 summit in 2025.

India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Dinesh Patnaik, said the two sides are working toward a comprehensive package covering multiple aspects of bilateral cooperation.

Carney’s visit will be the first bilateral trip by a Canadian prime minister to India since 2018 and is scheduled to run until March 2, after which he will travel to Australia.