India, Canada agree to speed up trade deal negotiations this year
India, Canada agree to speed up trade deal negotiations this year
India Canada agree to speed up trade – India and Canada have committed to enhancing their defence and security collaboration on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian counterpart Mark Carney expressing optimism about the growing momentum between the two nations. The leaders emphasized their shared objective of concluding negotiations on a free trade agreement by year-end, following a period of strained relations over the past few years.
Modi and Carney, who met at the G7 Summit in Evian, France, highlighted the progress made since the Canadian prime minister’s visit to India in March. According to a joint press release, they welcomed “positive momentum” in bilateral ties and reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening the relationship.
“In less than a year, it is our fourth meeting, indicating our commitment to strong India-Canada ties. We reviewed the full range of relations between our nations, notably the ground covered since we last met,” Modi stated on social media. The discussions focused on trade, economic partnerships, energy projects, and people-to-people exchanges, he added.
The two nations agreed to initiate talks on a “General Security of Information Agreement,” which aims to facilitate the sharing of sensitive data and intelligence. They also praised the exchange of ideas between defence institutions, including a planned visit by India’s National Defence College to Canada.
India and Canada are working toward finalizing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by 2026, according to the press release. This effort reflects their resolve to advance economic cooperation, particularly in areas like liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and metallurgical coal.
Strained Relations and Renewed Efforts
India-Canada relations deteriorated in September 2023 when former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau accused India of being linked to the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey. India dismissed the claim as “absurd,” leading to a temporary pause in trade talks, a diplomatic downgrade, and the expulsion of dozens of diplomats from each country.
However, diplomatic engagement resumed in late 2024 as security agencies began re-establishing communication. Carney’s victory in the 2025 general election further accelerated these reconciliation efforts.
Future Collaboration and Initiatives
The leaders also expressed support for the Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy, which includes measures to promote skill development, innovation partnerships, and educational collaboration. Modi endorsed Canada’s bid to join the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as a dialogue partner, and the two nations announced the creation of “Raisina Americas” as a platform to deepen exchanges and cooperation.
Modi thanked Carney for an invitation to visit Canada in 2026, and both sides agreed to finalize a mutually convenient date for the trip. Looking forward, they emphasized the role of complementary economies and resilient supply chains in ensuring global energy and food security.
Additional plans include forthcoming dialogues in defence, finance, and migration, aiming to solidify institutional ties. The leaders also recognized the importance of ongoing high-level visits, such as the recent trip by India’s commerce minister to Canada.
Rezaul H Laskar is the Foreign Affairs Editor at Hindustan Times. His interests include movies and music.