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India and Canada agree to boost economic
partnership in a move to reset ties
[March 02, 2026]
NEW DELHI (AP) — India and Canada on Monday agreed to strengthen
their economic partnership, in a move aimed at boosting ties after two
years of strained relationship.
Speaking after talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the two countries would soon finalize
a “comprehensive economic partnership” which is expected to increase
bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. |

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, shakes hands with his
Canadian counterpart Mark Carney before their delegation level meeting
in New Delhi, India, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) |
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India and Canada began advancing negotiations on a long-pending
trade agreement last year, as Carney moved to re-engage with New
Delhi, restore diplomatic channels and stabilize ties between
the two countries.
Carney said the two sides were aiming to conclude the deal by
the end of the year.
“This is not merely the renewal of a relationship. It is the
expansion of a valued partnership with new ambition, focus, and
foresight,” Carney said.
Ties deteriorated after Canadian authorities alleged that India
was involved in the killing of a Canadian Sikh activist near
Vancouver in June 2023. New Delhi vehemently denied the
allegations and accused former Canadian Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau’s government of harboring Sikh extremists of the
Khalistan movement. The movement, which aims to create an
independent Sikh homeland, is banned in India.
The fallout saw both sides expel senior diplomats and suspend
some visa services.
Relations improved last year in June when Carney invited Modi to
the G7 summit in Alberta.
After the talks on Monday, Modi said India and Canada signed a
nuclear agreement under which Canada will supply uranium to
India. The two countries would also work to strengthen defense
industries and enhance maritime domain awareness, he said.
Officials from both sides also exchanged a series of memoranda
of understanding spanning areas including critical minerals,
energy and cultural cooperation.
Carney is expected to leave for Australia and Japan later
Monday, part of his effort to diversify trade away from the
United States. He has set a goal for Canada to double its non-U.S.
exports in the next decade, saying American tariffs are causing
a chill in investment.
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