International
oi-Gaurav Sharma
India and Canada seem to be on the verge of resetting their bilateral relations as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Canada in December this year as both countries try to rebuild their diplomatic and economic ties.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Modi’s visit to Canada while talking to reporters on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Carney said negotiations on a new trade agreement were making “good progress” and described India as an “exceptionally important relationship” for Canada.
India and Canada are resetting bilateral relations with PM Narendra Modi’s planned December visit and accelerated trade talks for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aiming for year-end conclusion, seeking to move past recent diplomatic tensions.
The proposed visit could be an important step in the efforts by New Delhi and Ottawa to move beyond the diplomatic tensions that have affected ties over the past few years.
Trade Talks At The Centre
Trade has emerged as a major focus of the renewed engagement. India and Canada are accelerating negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the next round set to begin in Canada on October 5.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the coming 90 days would be significant for the relationship. Indian negotiators are expected to participate in the fifth round of discussions from October 5 to October 9, with both sides aiming to conclude the agreement by the end of the year.
Recent visit to Mumbai by Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu for talks with Goyal has also highlighted the renewed economic engagement.
From Diplomatic Strain To Reset
India-Canada relations took a major hit after the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged possible Indian involvement, a charge strongly rejected by New Delhi.
The dispute triggered diplomatic expulsions and strained political ties between the two countries.
Under Carney, however, Canada has sought to rebuild engagement with India. Carney visited India in March and called for a strategic partnership, while highlighting India’s growing importance to global commerce and technology.
Economic interests are also driving the renewed engagement. Bilateral trade reached around $30.4 billion in 2025, with both countries targeting $70 billion by 2030.
India exports pharmaceuticals, steel, seafood, garments, electronics and chemicals to Canada, while Canadian exports to India include pulses, coal, fertilisers, paper and crude petroleum.
With trade negotiations accelerating and Modi’s December visit on the horizon, India and Canada are now attempting to turn a period of diplomatic friction into a broader phase of economic and strategic cooperation.
