After a period of strained diplomatic ties lasting over two years, Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit India in the upcoming weeks as both nations seek to expand trade relationships in response to the trade conflict initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump. India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, disclosed to CBC’s Power & Politics host David Cochrane that the visit is slated following India’s budget presentation on February 1.
Patnaik emphasized that the restored diplomatic relations indicate a revival of trust within the system, with diplomats making efforts to catch up on missed work during what he described as a brief lapse in relations. The rift began when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian agents’ involvement in the extrajudicial killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian territory in 2023. The RCMP also implicated Indian government agents in various criminal activities in Canada, resulting in a significant freeze in Canada-India relations that has only recently started to thaw.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has vehemently denied any involvement in ordering extrajudicial killings in Canada, labeling the allegations as baseless and contrary to their practices. Four Indian nationals residing in Canada for several years have been accused of carrying out Nijjar’s killing, although Patnaik stated that there is no case against the Government of India, noting that the accusations were made by a former prime minister.
The upcoming visit by Carney follows an agreement between both leaders to commence negotiations for a new trade agreement known as a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), announced during their meeting at the G20 Summit in South Africa last November. Canada and India are both grappling with significant U.S. tariffs, with India facing tariffs up to 50%, partly due to its procurement of Russian oil.
Patnaik stressed the mutual need for cooperation between the two countries, underscoring the importance recognized by both prime ministers. He expressed optimism for advancements in key sectors such as energy, fertilizers, agri-food, innovation, research and development, aerospace, and defense. While the possibility of finalizing a trade deal by the end of the year remains uncertain, Patnaik deemed progress in these areas and nearing a deal as a significant achievement.
Carney’s visit will follow diplomatic missions to India by several Canadian ministers, including Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson and Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon, as well as Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. These visits underscore the ongoing efforts to thaw relations under Carney’s leadership amid the challenges posed by Trump’s tariffs. Carney is also set to embark on a crucial trade mission to China this week, aiming to repair fractured diplomatic ties with the country.