India, Canada eye major diplomatic reset as Modi, Carney chart new course

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a telephone conversation with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney, with the two leaders agreeing to strengthen bilateral cooperation across trade, energy, technology, security and people-to-people relations as India and Canada seek to build on the recent improvement in diplomatic ties.

Describing the discussion as warm and productive, Modi said both countries were committed to translating the positive momentum in their relationship into concrete outcomes. The conversation also came ahead of the Indian Prime Minister's proposed visit to Canada in December, which was confirmed by Carney's office.

The Canadian Prime Minister's Office said the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to concluding negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) at the earliest opportunity and agreed to remain in close contact ahead of Modi's visit.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

In a post on X following the conversation, Modi said he had held a warm and productive discussion with Carney and that both leaders had agreed to build on the positive momentum in India-Canada relations.

The Prime Minister identified trade, energy, technology, security and people-to-people connections as the principal areas in which the two countries would pursue tangible progress.

Modi also said that India and Canada were contributing towards a more stable and prosperous world, underlining the broader international significance of cooperation between the two countries.

The conversation reflected the continuing high-level engagement between New Delhi and Ottawa as they work to strengthen their strategic partnership and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀

A major focus of the renewed bilateral engagement is the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which is intended to provide a framework for expanding trade and investment between India and Canada.

According to the Canadian Prime Minister's Office, Modi and Carney reiterated their commitment to bringing the negotiations to an early conclusion.

The agreement is expected to cover a broad range of economic activities and provide greater predictability for businesses operating between the two countries.

During Carney's visit to India earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to advance negotiations on the trade pact and set an ambitious target of expanding bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion, approximately ₹4.65 lakh crore, by 2030.

The renewed emphasis on concluding the agreement indicates that economic cooperation remains a central priority in efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.

𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Energy security and technological collaboration are also emerging as important components of the India-Canada partnership.

Both countries have identified opportunities to expand cooperation in conventional and clean energy, critical minerals, advanced technologies and resilient supply chains.

During their earlier bilateral engagement, Modi and Carney had supported closer cooperation in renewable energy, civil nuclear energy and the development of critical mineral supply chains.

The two countries had also discussed opportunities for greater investment and commercial partnerships in sectors linked to emerging technologies and energy transition.

Tuesday's conversation reinforced the intention to move beyond broad commitments and pursue practical outcomes through continued government-level and business engagement.

𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

Security cooperation featured among the priorities identified by Modi following the telephone conversation.

India and Canada have been working to strengthen institutional engagement on national security and law enforcement, including cooperation against organised crime, terrorism, cybercrime and other transnational threats.

The two countries have also sought to improve communication between their security agencies and develop mechanisms for exchanging information on matters of mutual concern.

These efforts form part of the broader process of rebuilding bilateral confidence following a period of diplomatic tensions.

The renewed engagement has included ministerial exchanges, discussions between senior officials and efforts to restore normal diplomatic channels.

𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗶'𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱

The telephone conversation assumes additional significance in view of Modi's planned visit to Canada in December.

Carney's office confirmed the visit and said the two leaders would maintain close contact in the intervening period.

The proposed visit is expected to provide another opportunity to review progress in trade negotiations and advance cooperation across the strategic partnership.

Carney had visited India from February 27 to March 2, 2026, when the two countries issued a joint statement outlining a renewed roadmap for bilateral relations.

That visit helped establish a framework for expanding cooperation in trade, energy, security, technology and people-to-people exchanges.

Tuesday's discussion builds on those commitments, with both governments seeking to convert improved diplomatic engagement into substantive economic and strategic outcomes.

The forthcoming December visit and the progress of CEPA negotiations will be important developments in determining how quickly the renewed India-Canada partnership translates into concrete agreements and expanded bilateral cooperation.