New Delhi – A significant diplomatic milestone has been achieved as Mark Carney India visit has been confirmed for 2026, following Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s acceptance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s invitation. This announcement comes alongside the launch of ambitious negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at doubling bilateral trade between the two nations to $50 billion (CAD 70 billion) by 2030, marking a dramatic turnaround in relations that had deteriorated significantly in recent years.
The Mark Carney India visit confirmation represents the culmination of months of diplomatic efforts to reset relations between the two nations following a period of significant tension.
Bilateral Meeting at G20 Summit
The decision regarding the Mark Carney India visit and the comprehensive trade deal was announced following a bilateral meeting between PM Modi and his Canadian counterpart on the margins of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg on Sunday. The meeting demonstrated substantial progress in bilateral relations, with both leaders expressing confidence that the CEPA will serve as a “powerful economic anchor” for future cooperation.
According to the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office readout, the leaders expressed optimism that the agreement would help more than double two-way trade to CAD 70 billion by 2030, representing an ambitious economic target for both nations.
High Ambition Trade Deal
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal described the agreement discussed ahead of the Mark Carney India visit as a “high ambition” deal. Speaking at a Delhi event organized by the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber on Monday, Goyal emphasized that “the strengths of Canada, and strengths of India, together can become a force multiplier for businesses, for investors.” This characterization suggests the trade deal will be comprehensive and far-reaching, covering multiple sectors and creating substantial opportunities for businesses in both countries.
Enhanced Diplomatic Engagement
Beyond the economic partnership that will be further developed during the Mark Carney India visit, the two countries have agreed to “enhance diplomatic staffing levels to meet growing consular demands and to strengthen people-to-people linkages, including through reciprocal knowledge transfer.” This commitment demonstrates recognition that strengthening bilateral relations requires robust institutional support and enhanced human connections beyond just trade agreements.
More Expansive Than Previous Negotiations
Sources familiar with the developments leading to the Mark Carney India visit indicate that the comprehensive trade talks will be more expansive than earlier negotiations discontinued in September 2023 due to diplomatic tensions. Canada and India first entered into CEPA talks in 2010, but those were scrapped when Justin Trudeau became Prime Minister in 2015. Fresh negotiations commenced but shifted toward an Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) before being “paused” by Ottawa in August 2023.
Diplomatic Reset After Crisis
The positive trajectory leading to the Mark Carney India visit represents a remarkable turnaround from the diplomatic crisis that erupted in September 2023, when then-Prime Minister Trudeau made allegations regarding Indian agents and the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India described those accusations as “absurd” and “motivated,” and bilateral ties deteriorated significantly. A reset was signaled when Carney replaced Trudeau as Prime Minister in March this year.
Prime Ministers’ Statements
Prior to leaving Johannesburg, Carney emphasized the economic significance of the relationship that will be strengthened during his Mark Carney India visit, stating on social media platform X: “India is the world’s fifth largest economy, and that means big new opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses.”
PM Modi also expressed satisfaction with the meeting, posting on X: “Had a very productive meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada. We appreciated the significant momentum in our bilateral ties since our earlier meeting held during the G7 Summit hosted by Canada.” He added that the leaders agreed to advance relations in trade, investment, technology and innovation, energy, and education.
Business Community Enthusiasm
Goldy Hyder, president and CEO of the Business Council of Canada, welcomed the restart of trade talks ahead of the Mark Carney India visit, stating: “We welcome the restart of trade talks and the opportunity to take a new more ambitious approach to the relationship, including through enhanced energy cooperation.” A Business Council of Canada-led trade delegation is expected to accompany Carney during his trip to India in the first quarter of 2026.
Strategic Cooperation Areas
In his speech, Commerce Minister Goyal outlined key areas for collaboration that will likely be discussed during the Mark Carney India visit. These include critical minerals, mineral processing technologies, clean energy, nuclear energy, and supply-chain diversification. Goyal emphasized that India offers strong advantages in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, machine learning, and next-generation data centres, supported by the world’s largest annual pool of STEM graduates.
Current Trade Statistics
According to Canadian government data, India was Canada’s seventh largest goods and services trading partner in 2024, with $30.9 billion in two-way trade. The ambitious target of reaching $50 billion by 2030 would represent a substantial increase from current levels, requiring sustained effort and cooperation from both governments and business communities to achieve.
