After more than two years of strained diplomatic ties, Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit India in the near future as both nations seek to broaden their trade partnerships amidst the trade disputes initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump.
India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, revealed during an interview with CBC’s “Power & Politics” host David Cochrane that the visit is scheduled after India presents its budget on February 1. Patnaik emphasized that the rekindled diplomatic relations signify a restoration of trust in the system, with diplomats now catching up on neglected work due to what he described as a temporary disruption in relations.
The disruption began when former Canadian 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 in Canada. These allegations led to a significant deterioration in Canada-India relations, which has only recently started to improve.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has refuted any claims of ordering extrajudicial killings in Canada, labeling the accusations as baseless and unfounded. Patnaik clarified that four Indian nationals residing in Canada for several years have been accused of the murder of Nijjar, asserting that there is no case against the Government of India and highlighting that the accusations stemmed from a previous administration.
The upcoming visit by Carney follows a commitment made by both leaders to initiate talks on a new trade agreement known as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), announced during their meeting at the G20 Summit in South Africa the previous November. Both countries are grappling with hefty U.S. tariffs, particularly India facing a 50% tariff, partly due to its procurement of Russian oil.
Patnaik stressed the mutual need for collaboration between Canada and India, emphasizing that both prime ministers recognize the importance of this partnership. He expressed optimism for advancements in key sectors such as energy, fertilizers, agriculture, innovation, research and development, aerospace, and defense. When questioned about the possibility of signing a trade deal by year-end, Patnaik suggested that considerable progress in these areas would be a significant achievement in itself.
Carney’s visit will follow the diplomatic trips to India by several Canadian ministers, including Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson and Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon, with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu having visited late last year. These engagements underscore the improving relations under Carney’s leadership, especially in light of the ongoing trade disputes with the United States.
Furthermore, Carney is scheduled to embark on a pivotal trade mission to China next week, aiming to restore diplomatic ties with the country following years of strained relations.