As India and Canada work to strengthen their economic and diplomatic ties, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada in December. This visit comes as both nations are engaged in negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which they aim to finalize by the end of 2026.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Carney highlighted the importance of the bilateral relationship with India, emphasizing trade, investment, security, and cultural exchanges. He expressed his anticipation of hosting Modi in Canada around the time of the G20 summit in Miami this December, marking Modi’s first standalone bilateral visit to Canada since 2015.
The two countries are preparing for the fifth round of CEPA negotiations, scheduled to commence on October 5, following the successful completion of the fourth round earlier this month. Both India and Canada have agreed to expedite discussions to meet their shared goal of concluding the agreement by 2026, aiming to significantly enhance their trade and investment relations.
In 2025, bilateral trade in goods and services between the two nations reached C$30.4 billion. Canada has set an ambitious target to double this figure to C$70 billion by 2030. The proposed CEPA is seen as a vehicle to achieve this objective by expanding cooperation in key sectors such as energy, technology, artificial intelligence, and defense.
Recent diplomatic engagements, including Carney’s visit to India in March 2026, have underscored the commitment of both nations to rebuild and strengthen their ties. These efforts reflect a renewed focus on collaboration after years of diplomatic tension, with high-level meetings and trade talks paving the way for a more robust bilateral relationship.