Mark Carney’s India Tour Signals Renewed Momentum in Bilateral Relations
Mumbai/New Delhi: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has arrived in Mumbai for a four-day official trip to India, marking his first standalone bilateral visit since taking office.
The visit is being viewed as a key step in consolidating the recent thaw in ties between Ottawa and New Delhi.
Business-Focused Start in Mumbai
Carney’s programme begins in Mumbai, where he is scheduled to hold discussions with leading corporate executives and industry representatives.
The meetings are expected to centre on trade, investment flows, and opportunities for expanding commercial cooperation.
After completing his engagements in India’s financial capital, he will travel to New Delhi on March 1 for high-level political talks.
Crucial Talks with PM Modi in Delhi
On March 2, Carney will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for delegation-level discussions.
During his stay in the national capital, he is also slated to interact with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and address the India–Canada CEO Forum, an event aimed at strengthening alignment between policy frameworks and private enterprise.
This will be the first Prime Minister-level bilateral visit from Canada since former Canadian leader Justin Trudeau attended the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023.
Trade Ties and Economic Ambitions
India emerged as Canada’s seventh-largest trading partner in goods and services in 2024, with two-way commerce nearing $31 billion.
Both governments have expressed intent to significantly deepen economic engagement.
During the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit, New Delhi and Ottawa agreed to formally initiate negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The proposed pact aims to raise bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030, effectively more than doubling current volumes.
Diplomatic Reset After Period of Strain
The visit comes after relations between the two nations endured a turbulent phase.
Tensions escalated in 2023 following allegations made by the Trudeau government linking Indian agents to the killing of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
India firmly rejected the accusations, and the episode triggered reciprocal expulsions of diplomats and visa curbs.
However, ties gradually stabilized after Carney assumed office last year. Prime Minister Modi’s participation in the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Canada in June 2025 further helped rebuild diplomatic engagement.
In what officials described as an important development, Canada’s federal authorities have now reportedly concluded that there is no evidence of India’s involvement in violent criminal activities within Canada.
This assessment was shared during a closed-door briefing ahead of Carney’s departure, signalling progress in security cooperation and intelligence dialogue between the two countries.
A Pivotal Visit
Observers see Carney’s India visit as an opportunity to reinforce political trust, expand economic collaboration, and restore strategic alignment after nearly two-and-a-half years of fluctuating relations.
With trade negotiations on the horizon and business communities on both sides showing renewed interest, the trip could mark a decisive chapter in the evolution of India–Canada ties.
Carney is expected to conclude his visit and depart for Canada on March 2 after completing official engagements in New Delhi.
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