Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to undertake a diplomatic visit to Canada from December 11 to 12, the High Commission of India in Ottawa confirmed on Friday. This visit follows a recent telephone conversation between Prime Minister Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, during which both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the strategic partnership between the two nations.
According to an official statement, the upcoming visit is aimed at building upon the current positive momentum in India-Canada relations. The leaders expressed their intent to pursue concrete outcomes across several critical sectors, including trade, energy, technology, and security. Both governments highlighted the importance of their people-to-people ties as a foundational element of the bilateral relationship, which has spanned nearly 80 years of diplomatic history.
During their recent dialogue, Prime Minister Modi characterized the exchange as warm and productive. He emphasized that India and Canada, as partners, are actively contributing to global stability and prosperity. Canadian officials noted that the two leaders have specifically reaffirmed their commitment to concluding negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) at the earliest opportunity. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to double bilateral trade by 2030.
The visit comes against a backdrop of increased diplomatic activity between the two countries. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand recently visited New Delhi, where she held discussions with Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Minister Anand underscored the significant potential for both countries to collaborate on trade, investment, and innovation. Reflecting on the progress made since her previous visit a year ago, she highlighted that the two nations are successfully aligning their roadmaps for future cooperation.
Minister Anand also addressed the shared goal of contributing to a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The discussions during her visit encompassed the impact of current geopolitical instability and the mutual need for trusted partners in sectors such as agriculture and energy. Additionally, Prime Minister Carney expressed his appreciation for Prime Minister Modi’s diplomatic efforts in seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Complementing these high-level political engagements, Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu is currently leading a 'Team Canada' trade mission to India. The delegation, consisting of approximately 300 business representatives, is focused on exploring commercial opportunities across various sectors to foster deeper economic integration. Both governments view these initiatives as vital steps toward achieving their shared trade and investment objectives.
Looking ahead, the two leaders have agreed to maintain close contact in the period leading up to the December visit. As the international order continues to undergo significant shifts, both India and Canada are positioning their strategic partnership as a means to navigate challenges and secure long-term economic growth. The upcoming summit is expected to provide a platform to formalize progress on ongoing trade negotiations and further solidify the long-standing ties between the two nations.
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