After over two years of strained diplomatic ties, Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to travel to India in the upcoming weeks as both nations seek to expand their trade partners amidst the trade disputes initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump.
India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, revealed to CBC’s Power & Politics host David Cochrane that the visit is planned following India’s budget presentation on February 1. Patnaik emphasized that the rekindled diplomatic relations signify a restoration of trust within the system, with diplomats making up for lost time during the period of strained relations.
The rift began 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 RCMP also implicated Indian government agents in various criminal activities in 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, dubbing the accusations as baseless and absurd. Patnaik clarified that the allegations were made by the previous prime minister and that there is no evidence linking the Government of India to the incidents.
The upcoming visit by Carney comes after both leaders committed to commencing negotiations on a new trade agreement named the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during their meeting at the G20 Summit in South Africa last November. The visit is a response to the pressing need for both countries to counter the hefty U.S. tariffs, particularly India facing a 50% tariff, partly due to its purchase of Russian oil.
Patnaik highlighted the mutual dependency between the two nations, emphasizing the necessity for collaboration. He expressed optimism for progress in key sectors such as energy, fertilizers, agriculture, innovation, research, aerospace, and defense. While the possibility of signing a trade deal by year-end remains uncertain, Patnaik emphasized the significance of making substantial advancements in these sectors.
Carney’s upcoming visit follows diplomatic missions to India by several Canadian ministers, including Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson and Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon, among others. These diplomatic initiatives underscore the warming relations between the two countries under Carney’s leadership, particularly in the backdrop of Trump’s trade policies. Carney is also scheduled to embark on a significant trade mission to China following years of strained diplomatic relations with that nation.