After a period of over two years marked by strained diplomatic ties, Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to embark on a visit to India in the upcoming weeks as both nations seek to broaden their trade partnerships amid the trade disputes instigated 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 after India presents its budget on February 1. Patnaik emphasized that the reinvigorated diplomatic relations signify a restoration of trust within the system, with diplomats now catching up on the work that was missed during what he referred to as a brief hiatus in relations.
The rift began when former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian operatives were 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 chill in Canada-India relations that has only recently begun to thaw. The Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, denied any involvement in ordering extrajudicial killings in Canada, labeling the accusations as baseless and unfounded.
The visit by Prime Minister Carney follows a commitment made by both leaders to commence negotiations for a new trade agreement known as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), announced during their meeting at the G20 Summit in South Africa last November. The visit is a result of Carney accepting Modi’s invitation to visit India “in early 2026.” Both Canada and India are grappling with substantial U.S. tariffs, with India facing tariffs as high as 50%, partly due to its procurement of Russian oil. Patnaik highlighted the mutual dependency between both countries, noting the necessity for collaboration as recognized by both prime ministers.
Carney’s upcoming visit will be preceded by diplomatic excursions to India by various Canadian ministers, including Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson, Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. These efforts signal the ongoing thaw in relations as Carney endeavors to recalibrate the association under his leadership, particularly in light of the challenges posed by Trump’s tariffs. Subsequently, Carney is scheduled to embark on a significant trade mission to China, reflecting a pivotal moment in restoring diplomatic ties with the country after years of strained relations.
