India–Canada Deepen Strategic Ties, Target $70B Trade

India and Canada have agreed to reset and deepen bilateral ties, launching negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and unveiling a broad cooperation agenda across energy, defence, clean technology, critical minerals, education and talent mobility.

During the official visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to India from February 27 to March 2 — his first trip since taking office and the first bilateral visit by a Canadian PM since 2018 — he held wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to sovereignty, rule of law and multilateral cooperation, aligning India’s “Viksit Bharat” vision with Canada’s “Build Canada Strong” agenda under the guiding principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”
A key outcome was the finalisation of the Terms of Reference for CEPA negotiations, targeting bilateral trade of CAD 70 billion by 2030, with both sides aiming to conclude talks by the end of 2026. The India–Canada CEO Forum will be reconstituted to boost private-sector engagement.

Energy cooperation emerged as a central pillar. The two nations advanced a Strategic Energy Partnership covering clean and conventional energy, civil nuclear collaboration and critical minerals. A major commercial milestone was a CAD 2.6 billion long-term agreement between Canada’s Cameco and India’s Department of Atomic Energy for uranium supply to support India’s nuclear programme. Plans were also outlined to expand trade in LNG, crude oil, refined fuels, potash and uranium.
Memoranda of understanding were signed on renewable energy and critical minerals to strengthen resilient supply chains. Cooperation will also expand in artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure and space through collaboration between the Canadian Space Agency and Indian Space Research Organisation.

The leaders also agreed to establish a Defence Dialogue, enhance maritime security cooperation and deepen people-to-people ties, education exchanges and cultural collaboration — marking a renewed strategic chapter in India–Canada relations.