India, Canada Renew Push for Trade Pact to Double Bilateral Commerce by 2030

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart, Prime Minister Mark Carney, have reaffirmed their shared commitment to conclude negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The announcement, made following high-level discussions, underscores a mutual desire to accelerate trade relations, with a specific target of doubling bilateral trade by 2030. This move represents a significant step in the ongoing efforts to recalibrate ties between New Delhi and Ottawa.In an official statement released on Tuesday, Prime Minister Carney’s office detailed that the two leaders held discussions covering a broad spectrum of interests, including finance, defence, security, and the development of artificial intelligence. Both heads of state noted the growing engagement between the two nations over the past year and expressed a desire to build upon the momentum gathered during recent diplomatic exchanges. The leaders also welcomed the ongoing Team Canada Trade Mission to India, which is being led by International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, as well as the recent visit of Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand to New Delhi.Beyond economic prospects, the discussion touched upon geopolitical concerns, particularly the instability within the Indo-Pacific region. Both Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Carney highlighted the importance of securing reliable partners in critical sectors such as energy and agriculture. Security cooperation remains a priority; the leaders acknowledged the recent bilateral security dialogue held in India, which involved national security adviser-level discussions. Prime Minister Carney also extended his gratitude to the Indian Prime Minister for his leadership regarding efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.The diplomatic dialogue between the two nations has shown marked improvement following a period of significant friction. Relations between India and Canada had deteriorated sharply in 2023 after allegations were made by former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau regarding a potential Indian link to the death of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. New Delhi had consistently and categorically rejected these claims. However, the diplomatic landscape has shifted significantly since then, with engagement accelerating following Prime Minister Carney’s visit to India in March, and the subsequent restoration of high commissioners in both capitals.Reflecting on the nature of the conversation, Prime Minister Modi shared a message on social media platform X, describing the interaction as “warm and productive.” He reiterated that the two countries are actively working toward concrete outcomes in fields ranging from energy and technology to security and people-to-people connections. The conversation was preceded by a visit from Canadian Prime Minister’s Office adviser David Morrison, who met with Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval earlier in October to discuss counter-terrorism and law enforcement cooperation.Looking ahead, the two leaders have agreed to maintain close communication as they prepare for Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming official visit to Canada, which is scheduled for December. The focus remains on leveraging the positive atmosphere to finalize the trade agreement, which both sides view as the cornerstone of their future partnership. As diplomatic channels remain open and high-level visits continue, both New Delhi and Ottawa are positioning themselves to deepen their strategic and economic integration through the end of the decade.