Mark Carney will visit India soon as Canada and India rebuild trust, restart trade talks, and push back against U.S. tariffs together.
A Long Freeze Begins to Melt
After more than two years of diplomatic tension, Canada and India are turning the page. Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to India in the coming weeks, marking a clear shift toward cooperation, trade growth, and renewed trust.
India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, confirmed the visit in an interview with CBC’s Power & Politics. According to him, the trip will take place shortly after India presents its federal budget on February 1.
More importantly, Patnaik said the visit shows that “trust is back in the system.” As a result, both sides are now racing to recover lost time.
What Broke the Relationship
The rift began in 2023, when then–prime minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian agents were linked to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
Soon after, the RCMP accused individuals tied to India of involvement in violent crimes and intimidation on Canadian soil. Consequently, diplomatic ties froze almost overnight.
However, India strongly denied the claims. Patnaik repeated that stance, calling the accusations “absurd” and insisting that India does not conduct extrajudicial killings abroad.
While four Indian nationals now face charges related to Nijjar’s death, Patnaik stressed that no case exists against the Indian government itself.
A New Prime Minister, A New Tone
According to Patnaik, the change in leadership in Ottawa helped reset the relationship. He noted that Carney is taking a different approach, one focused on dialogue instead of confrontation.
As a result, diplomats from both countries are once again engaging, coordinating, and rebuilding channels that had gone quiet.
Trade Pressures Force New Partnerships
Beyond diplomacy, economics are driving the renewed urgency.
Both Canada and India face steep U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump’s trade policies. India, for example, faces tariffs as high as 50 per cent, partly due to its purchases of Russian oil.
Because of this pressure, both governments now see trade diversification as essential rather than optional.
“Both countries need each other,” Patnaik said. “Both prime ministers recognized that.”
A New Trade Deal on the Table
Carney’s visit follows a major commitment made at the G20 Summit in South Africa last November. There, Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to restart talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA.
This proposed deal would expand trade far beyond existing limits. Talks will focus on energy, fertilizers, agri-food, innovation, research, aerospace, and defence.
Although a full agreement may not be signed this year, Patnaik said getting close would still count as major progress.
Ministers Lead the Way
Ahead of Carney’s visit, several Canadian ministers have already headed to India. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson and AI Minister Evan Solomon are set to travel later this month. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu made trips late last year.
Together, these missions signal steady momentum rather than a one-off gesture.
Part of a Bigger Strategy
Notably, India is not the only focus. Carney is also traveling to China this week for another high-stakes trade mission, following years of strained relations there as well.
Taken together, these moves show a clear pattern. Canada is widening its trade circle, reducing reliance on the U.S., and rebuilding key global partnerships.
And this time, the reset appears to be sticking.
