Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney Set for March India Visit to Sign Key Agreements
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit India in the first week of March, with plans to sign significant deals covering uranium, energy, minerals, and artificial intelligence, according to Dinesh Patnaik, India's High Commissioner to Canada. In a recent interview, Patnaik revealed that the visit is being finalized, stating, "I have a feeling in the first week of March is what we are looking at." Carney's office has declined to comment on the specifics, but the trip signals a major step in diversifying Canada's alliances beyond its top trade partner, the United States.
Reset in Bilateral Relations After Diplomatic Strains
This visit marks a reset in Canada-India relations, which had been strained under Carney's predecessor, Justin Trudeau. In 2023, Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader, a claim India has consistently denied. Since then, efforts have been made to mend ties, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the Group of 7 summit on Carney's invitation last year and several Canadian ministers traveling to India. Patnaik noted that India's National Security Advisor will visit Ottawa next month as part of regular engagements to exchange intelligence and discuss security measures, further solidifying the renewed partnership.
Key Agreements on the Agenda
During his visit, Carney is poised to sign multiple agreements with the Indian government, focusing on critical sectors:
- Nuclear Energy: A 10-year deal worth C$2.8 billion for uranium supply is likely to be included, supporting India's plans to expand its civilian nuclear energy use. Canada's Energy Minister Tim Hodgson emphasized that Canada is willing to sell uranium under the existing nuclear cooperation agreement, provided India adheres to International Energy Agency safeguards.
- Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing: Deals in these cutting-edge technologies will be signed, highlighting the focus on innovation and digital collaboration.
- Energy and Mining: Agreements on critical minerals, crude oil, and LNG transactions are expected to be prominent, with Hodgson noting that India is a growing user of critical minerals that Canada can supply.
- Education and Culture: Smaller pacts in these areas will also be part of the visit, fostering people-to-people ties.
Urgency in Trade Negotiations Amid Global Shifts
Both countries are moving with a sense of urgency to advance trade talks, which had stalled for two years. Patnaik highlighted the renewed impetus, citing Carney's recent speech at Davos where he declared the old rules-based order over and called for middle powers like Canada to build coalitions. "Now we are living in a world where the natural rules-based order which gave a certainty to the world is not functioning," Patnaik said, adding that India and Canada should work together to protect themselves from international uncertainties.
Formal negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India are set to begin in March, with Patnaik optimistic that a pact could be signed within a year. This comes as India seeks new trade agreements globally, including an expected announcement with the European Union on a free trade pact. Additionally, India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are likely to visit Canada soon to bolster economic ties.
Global Context and Challenges
Carney's efforts to diversify Canada's alliances come amid global trade tensions. Following an agreement with China to slash tariffs on electric vehicles and canola, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened 100% tariffs on Canada if it signed a deal with China. Carney responded by affirming Canada's commitment to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which restricts free trade agreements with non-market economies. Patnaik emphasized that the focus is on large, growing economies like India, which aligns with Canada's strategy to double non-U.S. exports over the next decade.
As Canada's Energy Minister Hodgson visits India this week to discuss energy collaborations, he noted that the timing of Carney's trip is not yet fixed but depends on progress in talks. "There are plans for the Prime Minister to visit at some point this year, it will depend on the progress we make," Hodgson said in an interview. This visit underscores a pivotal moment in India-Canada relations, driven by mutual economic interests and a shared vision for a resilient global order.
