British Columbia Premier David Eby and Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon are gearing up for a trade mission to India in less than a week. The aim is to support local businesses and industries amid global uncertainties. Eby highlighted the importance of strengthening ties with India, anticipating its rise as the world’s third-largest economy soon.
The delegation will engage with key figures in government and business in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru. B.C. holds a significant position as India’s top trade partner in Canada. Kahlon revealed that in 2024, bilateral trade between India and B.C. reached $2.1 billion, accounting for a quarter of Canada’s exports to India.
Given the challenges posed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the mission will focus on creating opportunities for the forestry sector, which has been adversely affected. Additionally, the delegation plans to advocate for the clean energy, mining, and tech industries. Kahlon highlighted B.C.’s thriving tech sector, boasting 12,000 tech companies and the country’s fastest-growing life sciences industry.
Eby praised the outcomes of a recent trade mission to Asia, citing significant projects like LNG Phase 2, poised for a final investment decision this year. This project, involving a consortium from Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and state investment entities, could mark the largest private sector investment in Canadian history upon completion.
Expressing concern over the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Canadian Sikh separatist, Eby stressed the importance of ongoing criminal proceedings against the four individuals charged. Eby emphasized the federal government’s role in addressing shared concerns with India while affirming B.C.’s commitment to supporting its citizens through job creation, particularly in sectors impacted by tariffs.
In response to Trump’s actions in Venezuela, Eby diverged from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s call for a new pipeline through B.C.’s North. Instead, Eby advocated for increased investment in the underutilized Trans Mountain pipeline and proposed directing public funds toward a refinery to support Canadians in the oil and gas sector.
The upcoming trade mission to India underscores B.C.’s efforts to navigate global economic challenges and foster mutually beneficial relationships with key international partners.