Canada’s Carney is expected to visit India in the first week of March, with the trip seen as an important step towards easing tensions and reviving stalled ties between the two countries.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is likely to visit India in the first week of March, a trip widely seen as a critical step in resetting strained Indo-Canada relations. During the visit, the two sides are expected to sign agreements on uranium, energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence, India’s High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik said in an interview.
Political engagement gathers pace
Diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Ottawa has gained momentum in recent months. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Group of 7 summit last year at Carney’s invitation, while several Canadian ministers have since travelled to India, signalling a renewed effort to stabilise ties and deepen cooperation in strategic sectors.
Diversifying partnerships beyond the US
Carney has been working to broaden Canada’s global partnerships beyond the US, its largest trading partner. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, he said the old rules-based global order was no longer functioning and urged middle powers such as Canada to build coalitions to shape a fairer and more resilient world.
That message has been accompanied by efforts to expand Canada’s trade footprint, including a recent agreement with China to reduce tariffs on electric vehicles and canola, opening up billions of dollars in export opportunities.
Repairing ties after 2023 Nijjar rift
Carney has also sought to repair relations with India after ties hit their lowest point in 2023, when former prime minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader. These false allegations from Trudeau triggered a sharp diplomatic rift.
“I have a feeling the first week of March is what we are looking at,” Patnaik said, referring to Carney’s proposed visit. Carney’s office declined to comment.
Visit timeline remains fluid
Canada’s Energy Minister Tim Hodgson, who is visiting India this week, said the timing of the prime minister’s trip has not yet been finalised.
“There are plans for the Prime Minister to visit at some point this year. It will depend on the progress we make,” Hodgson said in a weekend interview.
Trade talks and expected agreements
Formal negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement are expected to begin in March, Patnaik said. India and Canada agreed in November to restart trade talks that had been stalled for nearly two years.
During the visit, Carney is expected to sign a series of agreements covering nuclear energy, oil and gas, the environment, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, as well as education and cultural exchanges. A proposed 10-year C$2.8 billion uranium supply deal could also be part of the package.
Energy and critical minerals in focus
While Hodgson did not confirm the uranium deal, he said Canada was willing to supply uranium to India under the existing nuclear cooperation agreement, subject to international safeguards. He also highlighted India’s growing demand for critical minerals and energy as a major opportunity for Canadian exporters.
Sense of urgency
Both sides are moving with urgency after nearly two years of stalled engagement, driven by global trade uncertainty and concerns over US tariffs. As Patnaik noted, the objective is to build partnerships that offer greater stability and insulation from the volatility of an increasingly unpredictable international order.
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