New Delhi: India has reportedly extended an invitation to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to visit New Delhi for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a move that could set the stage for a comprehensive economic and free-trade partnership.
The Globe and Mail Canada reported that Mark Carney has been invited to attend next year's Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in New Delhi. The 2025 edition of the summit, which included heads of state, CEOs, and AI leaders, was held in Paris.
India's new High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Kumar Patnaik, confirmed that PM Modi would ensure time for discussions on bilateral issues if Carney accepted the invitation. "We are hoping he accepts. If not, we will always find some time when we can do this before March," he said. “I want him to go before May when it really heats up.”
Patnaik said both countries are making a “sincere effort” to repair the strained diplomatic relations and prioritise trade and investment, especially amid ongoing tariff tensions with the United States.
Patnaik said a comprehensive trade agreement could push annual bilateral trade past $50 billion. In 2024, India and Canada recorded $23.6 billion in trade - a $12.7 billion jump from 2023. India is eyeing several sectors for trade with Canada, including oil, gas, nuclear power, battery storage, fertilizers, processed food, and agricultural products. The country is also open to cooperation on AI and quantum computing.
Last week, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand said the governments of India and Canada agree on the importance of elevating the relationship further.
Meanwhile, with relations thawing, New Delhi will gradually allow Canada to post a “similar number” of diplomats and officials to India as was the case prior to October 2024, the Hindustan Times reported.
