New Delhi: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will arrive in India on February 26, kicking off the first leg of his three-nation Indo-Pacific tour aimed at strengthening economic and strategic partnerships, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced.
The visit comes at a delicate moment as Carney seeks to repair strained India-Canada relations following the diplomatic downturn during the tenure of former prime minister Justin Trudeau. Ottawa is also looking to accelerate progress on a long-pending trade agreement with New Delhi.
According to the PMO, Carney’s trip — which runs from February 26 to March 7 and includes Australia and Japan — is focused on expanding opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses across trade, energy, technology and defence sectors.
Focus on Trade Diversification
The Canadian government said the outreach reflects its broader push to diversify trade partnerships and reduce dependence on traditional markets while attracting fresh global investment.
“In a more uncertain world, Canada is focused on what we can control,” Carney said in a statement, stressing efforts to strengthen economic resilience through new partnerships.
Key Meetings in India
Carney will begin his India visit in Mumbai and New Delhi, where he is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Discussions are expected to centre on enhancing cooperation in trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence, defence, talent mobility and cultural exchanges.
The Canadian leader will also meet top business executives to explore investment avenues and deepen commercial engagement between the two economies.
Notably, India and Canada had agreed at last year’s G20 summit to formally launch negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is expected to figure prominently in the talks.
Next Stops: Australia and Japan
After India, Carney will travel to Sydney and Canberra for meetings with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The agenda will include defence and maritime security, critical minerals, trade and advanced technologies.
He is also scheduled to address both houses of Australia’s Parliament — the first such address by a Canadian prime minister in nearly 20 years.
The final leg of the tour will take him to Tokyo for talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Discussions there will focus on clean energy, advanced manufacturing, food security, critical minerals and broader security cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Canadian officials said the three-nation visit underscores Ottawa’s intent to deepen ties with key Indo-Pacific partners seen as vital to the country’s long-term security and prosperity.
