Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to travel to India this week, marking what the Indian envoy to Canada describes as the completion of the "first cycle" in efforts to reset relations between the two nations. High Commissioner of India to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, expressed optimism about the upcoming visit, stating that Carney arrives "with a very good image" and that this meeting will set the agenda for bilateral cooperation for many years to come.
Setting the Stage for Enhanced Relations
Patnaik, speaking before the trip was officially announced, highlighted that the initial reset in Canada-India relations occurred last spring when Carney invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G7 leaders gathering hosted by Canada in Kananaskis. Since that invitation, Canadian officials have been meticulously planning Carney's reciprocal visit to India.
The Prime Minister's Office confirmed on Monday that Carney will meet with Modi, with Patnaik characterizing this as the first phase of the broader reset strategy. "This visit would actually set the stage for an even higher level of relationship between both countries," Patnaik emphasized, underscoring the diplomatic significance of the engagement.
Ambitious Partnerships on the Agenda
Beginning on Thursday, Carney's itinerary includes stops in both Mumbai and New Delhi, where discussions will focus on establishing ambitious new partnerships across multiple sectors. According to his office, key areas of collaboration will include trade, energy, technology and artificial intelligence, talent and culture, and defense.
In addition to government meetings, Carney plans to engage with business leaders during his visit. This outreach aligns with his broader mission to diversify Canada's market access and trade relationships, particularly in response to economic challenges posed by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies.
Broader International Itinerary
Following his India visit, Carney will continue his international diplomacy tour with stops in Australia and Japan. In Australia, he is scheduled to address Parliament—an honor that hasn't been extended to a Canadian prime minister in nearly two decades—and meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. His subsequent visit to Tokyo will include discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, who has previously traveled to India, confirmed via social media that she will be accompanying Carney on this diplomatic mission, signaling the importance the Canadian government places on strengthening international partnerships.
Overcoming Recent Diplomatic Challenges
Patnaik addressed the recent strains in Canada-India relations, describing the past two years as a "blip" that hasn't fundamentally disrupted business flows or the "people to people" connections both countries value. He asserted that despite uncertainties stemming from U.S. policies, closer Canada-India relations remain "inevitable" given the many shared interests between the nations.
The diplomatic relationship faced significant challenges following former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's September 2023 announcement to the House of Commons. At that time, Trudeau revealed that Canadian security agencies were investigating "credible allegations of a potential link" between Indian government agents and the shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh activist killed outside a British Columbia temple in June 2023.
India has consistently denied any involvement in the incident. Subsequently, four Indian nationals have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Nijjar's killing.
Relations deteriorated further in October 2024 when the RCMP publicly expressed concerns based on separate investigations. The police force reported uncovering evidence suggesting Indian government agents' involvement in violent crimes targeting members of the South Asian diaspora and pro-Khalistan activists, information that had been presented to Indian officials.
Despite these recent tensions, Patnaik remains optimistic about the future of bilateral relations, viewing Carney's upcoming visit as a pivotal moment for establishing a new foundation of cooperation and mutual understanding between Canada and India.
