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| Prime Minister Mark Carney is in India for a pivotal trip aimed at repairing ties with the world's largest democracy(Image: AFP/Getty Image) |
India and the United States are attempting to reduce their trade reliance on the United States, so Prime Minister Mark Carney is making a pivotal trip there to strengthen ties with the world's largest democracy. The first stop on Carney's trip is Mumbai, where he will meet with business leaders. After that, he will make his way to New Delhi to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The trip marks a remarkable turnaround in relations, which had collapsed when Canada accused India of carrying out an extrajudicial killing of a Canadian Sikh separatist on Canadian soil - an allegation India strongly denied.
Both sides now appear ready to move forward.
Here's what has changed, and what each country hopes to gain as Carney's trip gets underway.
Squeezed by US tariffs, Canada repairs ties with former foes
For Carney, this trip is strictly business, aligned with his broader goal of diversifying Canada's trade partners to reduce economic dependence on the US.
A big focus will be making progress on a comprehensive free trade agreement with India, which has been discussed on-and-off for the last 15 years.
In 2023, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a shocking public accusation against India, alleging that it was involved in the shooting death of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. This led to the most recent derailment of trade talks. Four men were later charged in his death, and their case is still before the courts.
India has denied any involvement on multiple occasions. Now faced with US tariffs, and under Carney's more "pragmatic" approach to foreign policy, Ottawa is repairing ties with Delhi.
Still, some members of Canada's Sikh community disagree with the allegations because they say India continues to target them through transnational repression and have criticized Carney for putting economic interests ahead of their safety. According to Vina Nadjibulla, vice-president of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, the circumstance will require "delicate handling." Before Carney's trip, Canadian officials told reporters that the two countries are having "robust" discussions about national security and foreign interference when asked about these concerns. They went on to say that if the Indian government were involved in any violent crimes or threats committed on Canadian soil, Canada "probably would not be taking this trip." Some people aren't convinced. According to an MP from Carney's Liberal party, Sukh Dhaliwal, the assertion that India no longer poses a threat is "disconnected from the reality," according to Canadian media. Since Carney took office last year, Canada has made a number of diplomatic moves toward India, beginning with inviting Modi to the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, last summer. That was followed by a series of meetings between Foreign Minister Anita Anand and her Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, as well as a visit to Ottawa last month by India's national security advisor, Ajit Doval.
Carney's India itinerary reveals some of his priorities. He will stop only in Mumbai, India's financial hub, to meet with business leaders, and New Delhi, where he will sit down with Prime Minister Modi on Monday.
Carney, in contrast to Trudeau, will not visit cultural landmarks like the Taj Mahal. He also won't go to Punjab, the home state of many Sikhs in India, which Trudeau and another former prime minister, Stephen Harper, visited. Those stops were frequently regarded as nods to Canada's significant Sikh and Indo-Canadian communities. Their absence suggests that trade is Canada's primary concern at the moment. According to what has been stated by Carney's office, the topics of energy, technology, artificial intelligence, defense, and attracting top talent to Canada will be on the agenda. Carney and Modi are also likely to discuss tariff policies enacted by President Donald Trump, which have had an impact on both their economies.
Canada was the only G7 nation that had not reached a preferential trade agreement with India prior to the trip. That fact, according to Nadjibulla of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, "adds urgency" for Carney. "There is a window of opportunity, and it needs to be seized," Nadjibulla said.
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| Prime Minister Narendra Modi is interested in buying more Canadian energy(Image: EPA) |
A win‑win for India as it looks for new energy sources
In 2024, not too long ago, diplomats were expelled, visa services were suspended, and both nations were openly trading barbs. However, a lot has transpired since then. India has recently signed a slew of free trade agreements, demonstrating its increased business receptivity. Then there is Trump, who has slapped significant tariffs on both Canada and India. "If you are not at the table, you are on the menu," according to Carney, the world is "in the midst of a rupture, not a transition." For India's Prime Minister Modi, a reset with Canada is a win-win situation.
Domestically, the visit will boost Modi's image as a leader who refused to come under pressure from Canada.
India is not currently associated with threats or violent crimes on Canadian soil, according to Ottawa. However, in a broader sense, the outcome of this visit will be determined by the potential for trade between the two nations.
Until recently, goods imported into the US from India were subject to a 50% tariff, while Delhi has also come under pressure from the Trump administration to stop buying oil from Russia.
India has attempted to diversify its energy portfolio ever since. In this context, Carney's visit is extremely significant. While a wider trade deal might take time to conclude, there are some straight wins in the energy sector that the two sides will most likely announce.
The Modi government is enthusiastic about civilian nuclear power and intends to construct additional reactors; however, in order to carry out the plan, it requires a consistent supply of uranium. A ten-year uranium supply agreement is likely to be signed between the two nations. It is possible that additional deals will be made to increase Canada's supply of crude oil and gas. Any partner that assists India in diversifying its portfolio of energy imports and ensuring a long-term supply of uranium, oil, gas, and coal is valuable to the country. Canada fits this description very well, and Modi is likely to extend a warm welcome to Carney. It's clear that Trump's use of punitive tariffs as a geopolitical pressure tool has shaken many global leaders out of their comfort zones.
Carney stated that the rules-based international order is no longer certain, and middle powers must devise strategies for mutual support. The speed with which India and Canada have repaired their relationship demonstrates that Canada and India's prime ministers are well aware of the current global conditions.
Source: BBC
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