After a period of over two years of strained diplomatic ties, Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to travel to India in the near future as both nations seek to broaden their trade partnerships amid the trade disputes initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump.
India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, revealed in an interview with CBC’s “Power & Politics” host David Cochrane that the visit is scheduled post-India’s budget presentation on February 1. Patnaik emphasized that the restored diplomatic relations signify the return of trust in the system and the efforts to make up for lost time due to the strained relations.
The rift between the two countries originated when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of being involved in the extrajudicial killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil in 2023. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) also implicated Indian government agents in various criminal activities within Canada, leading to a significant deterioration in Canada-India relations, which has only recently begun to improve.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has vehemently denied any involvement in extrajudicial killings in Canada, labeling the accusations as baseless. Patnaik clarified that the allegations were made by the previous prime minister and that there is no evidence against the current Indian government.
Prime Minister Carney’s upcoming visit follows an agreement between both leaders to commence negotiations for a new trade agreement known as a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This commitment was made during their meeting at the G20 Summit in South Africa last November. The visit is a response to the escalating U.S. tariffs that both Canada and India are facing, with India grappling with a 50% tariff due in part to its Russian oil purchases.
Patnaik highlighted the mutual need for cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of advancing key sectors such as energy, fertilizers, agriculture, innovation, research and development, aerospace, and defense. While the possibility of signing a trade deal by the end of the year remains uncertain, Patnaik expressed optimism about progress in these areas.
In addition to Prime Minister Carney’s visit, various Canadian ministers, including Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson and Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon, have recently undertaken diplomatic missions to India. These missions, along with the efforts to reset ties under Carney’s leadership in the face of trade challenges posed by Trump’s tariffs, mark a positive shift in Canada-India relations. Carney is also scheduled to embark on a significant trade mission to China this week, signaling a step towards improving diplomatic relations with that country after years of discord.
