Carney Pushes for a Stronger India Ties to Limit US Reliance

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has reaffirmed his commitment to revitalizing Canada-India relations, describing the progress made as a key step in his government’s broader plan to diversify trade and reduce reliance on the United States. Speaking to reporters in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Saturday, Carney emphasized that the “traction” his Indo-Pacific strategy is gaining has been reflected in the renewed diplomatic engagement with India.

Carney: Vision for Diversified Trade

Carney stated that his administration is focused on “building domestically and building partnerships abroad” to create a more balanced economic future for Canada. “We are pursuing an ambitious mission to double our non-US exports within the next decade,” the Prime Minister’s Office noted in a statement, adding that India stands out as a pivotal partner in achieving this goal.

“The Indo-Pacific presents enormous opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses,” Carney said. “Canada is ready to seize these opportunities and play to win.”

Diplomatic Reset with India

Since assuming office in March 2025, Mark Carney has initiated a cautious yet determined reset of Canada’s strained relationship with India, which deteriorated sharply under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Tensions flared in September 2023 after Trudeau’s remarks in Parliament about “credible allegations” linking Indian agents to the killing of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia.

New Delhi strongly rejected the accusations as “absurd” and “motivated.” The situation escalated further when Canada sought to waive the diplomatic immunity of six Indian officials—prompting India to withdraw and expel diplomats on both sides, resulting in one of the lowest points in bilateral ties in recent history.

Carney: Breakthrough at the G7 Summit

A turning point came in June 2025 during the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, where Carney met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time since taking office. The bilateral meeting paved the way for restoring high commissioners in both Ottawa and New Delhi, symbolizing a formal step toward normalization.

Carney’s diplomatic tone has stood in sharp contrast to his predecessor’s, focusing on mutual respect, pragmatic cooperation, and economic synergy. Observers see this as part of his “systematic approach” to rebuilding a strategic partnership with India.

Cabinet-Level Engagements Signal Renewed Momentum

Following the G7 dialogue, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand led a high-level delegation to India in October 2025, meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Discussions centered on trade, technology, and Indo-Pacific security cooperation. In the same month, Goyal held talks with Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, reinforcing the message that bilateral engagement is firmly back on track.

Officials have confirmed that further senior-level exchanges are scheduled in the coming months, underscoring the shared interest in expanding collaboration across areas such as clean energy, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation.

Looking Ahead: AI Impact Summit Invitation

As a sign of growing trust, India has invited Mark Carney to attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in February 2026. The event, focused on ethical and economic dimensions of artificial intelligence, could offer a fresh platform to strengthen cooperation between Canadian and Indian innovators.

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