Canada's Mark Carney May Attend India's Republic Day

In a recent phone call, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed the importance of finalizing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and set an ambitious goal of doubling bilateral trade by the year 2030. Modi is scheduled to visit Canada in December as part of his trip to the G20 summit in the United States, where the trade agreement is anticipated to be finalized.

The discussions included the possibility of Carney visiting India in January as the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations. Currently, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu are in India to strengthen bilateral relations. Modi expressed optimism about the ongoing collaboration, emphasizing the need for concrete outcomes in key sectors such as trade, energy, technology security, and cultural exchanges.

Both leaders acknowledged the positive trajectory of India-Canada relations over the past year, particularly in finance, defense, and artificial intelligence. They highlighted the necessity of trusted partnerships, especially in light of geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. Carney expressed gratitude to Modi for his efforts towards a peaceful resolution regarding the conflict in Ukraine.

The recent bilateral security dialogue held in India was also a focal point of their conversation, reinforcing the commitment to ongoing security and law enforcement cooperation at the national security adviser level. The leaders agreed to maintain close communication leading up to Modi's visit to Canada in December.

The ongoing Team Canada Trade Mission, led by Minister Maninder Sidhu, is currently taking place in India, with Anand's visit to New Delhi aimed at advancing mutual priorities in trade, energy, and people-to-people connections. This renewed engagement reflects a shared commitment to fostering a stable and prosperous global environment.