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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Mumbai on Friday for a high-stakes visit aimed at repairing strained relations with India and significantly boosting bilateral trade.
The trip marks a fresh push to rebuild ties that deteriorated in 2023 after Canada accused India of involvement in the killing of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil, allegations New Delhi has consistently denied.
Carney is expected to meet business leaders in Mumbai before heading to New Delhi for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. His office said discussions would centre on building new partnerships across trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence, culture, and defence.
The Canadian leader has set an ambitious target to more than double trade between both countries by 2030, aiming for annual volumes of about $51 billion.
Negotiations toward a free trade agreement, which had stalled, resumed last year.
Relations between the two nations plunged after Ottawa accused India of orchestrating the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen linked to a pro-Khalistan movement. The diplomatic fallout saw both countries expel senior envoys in 2024. However, ties have gradually improved since Carney assumed office in 2025, with diplomatic representatives now reinstated.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand said concerns about transnational repression remain a key issue in ongoing engagements.
India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, is seeking increased foreign investment and sees Canada as a key partner. Canadian pension and investment funds have already committed tens of billions of dollars to the Indian market. Energy cooperation is also expected to feature prominently, with India seeking Canada’s support for its plans to expand nuclear power capacity to meet growing demand.
Carney’s visit is part of a broader strategy to diversify Canada’s trade relationships and reduce its heavy dependence on the United States, which currently accounts for the bulk of its exports.
After India, he is scheduled to visit Australia and Japan as Ottawa deepens economic ties across Asia and the Pacific.
