Canada?s response to strikes in Iran, concerns over Carney?s trade mission to India - March 1

Chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton speaks with this week's Sunday Scrum ? Catherine L?esque, parliamentary reporter for the National Post, Brett Forester, Ottawa reporter for CBC Indigenous, and Globe and Mail columnist Gary Mason ? about the Canadian government's response to the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. Plus, the prime minister's trade mission to India, concerns about ongoing transnational repression and the government's efforts to diversify trade.

Prime Minister Carney secures ambitious new partnership with India focused on energy, talent, and technology

March 2, 2026
New Delhi, India

In a rapidly changing world, Canada is focused on what we can control. We are building our economic strength at home and diversifying our partnerships abroad. As the world?s fastest-growing major economy, India presents extraordinary opportunities. With a population of 1.4 billion, its energy demand is increasing faster than anywhere else in the world ? equal to that of China and Southeast Asia combined. Canada is an energy and agricultural superpower, and a leader in critical minerals, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced manufacturing ? precisely the sectors India is scaling at speed.

Canada and India have had an historically strong, productive relationship. In 2024, total direct and indirect Canadian investment in India surpassed $110 billion. As both our nations embark on parallel missions to build and transform our respective economies and diversify key supply chains, we are forging a new partnership to leverage each other?s strength and ambition.

To that end, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, visited Mumbai and New Delhi, India, this week. This marked the first bilateral visit to India by a Canadian Prime Minister since 2018. With this visit, in addition to ministerial and official level meetings, there has been more engagement between the Canadian and Indian governments this year than in any year over the past two decades.

In New Delhi, Prime Minister Carney met with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Following their meeting, the leaders released a joint statement, welcomed five Memorandums of Understanding (MOU), and announced a broad range of ambitious initiatives that will renew and expand the Canada-India partnership across energy and critical minerals, technology and AI, talent and culture, and defence.

Foundational to the Canada-India strategic partnership is strong, stable cooperation in trade. In New Delhi, Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Modi confirmed that Canada and India will conclude a new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) this year, following a meeting of chief negotiators in New Delhi and the finalisation and signing of the Terms of Reference for the CEPA. The CEPA will advance Canada?s goal to more than double two-way trade to $70 billion by 2030.

To leverage our strengths as complementary economies, Canada and India announced a new Strategic Energy Partnership, including in LNG, LPG, uranium, solar, and hydrogen. As the first steps, the leaders welcomed:

• A landmark $2.6 billion agreement between the Government of India and Saskatoon-based Cameco to supply nearly 22 million pounds of uranium to India for nuclear energy generation from 2027 to 2035.

• Two MOUs to intensify cooperation on critical minerals and energy sources, supporting technical and commercial engagement, and diversifying supply chains.

• Strengthened collaboration on clean energy initiatives in solar, wind, biofuels, and hydropower, including announcing that Canada intends to join the International Solar Alliance and is upgrading to full membership status in the Global Biofuels Alliance.

• Intensified engagement on LPG with the aim to conclude Canada?s first long-term LPG arrangement with India.

Canada and India have vibrant ties across commerce and culture, including through the over 1.8 million Canadians of Indian origin. To create more cultural and educational opportunities, Canada and India are strengthening our people-to-people ties through the following initiatives:

• The launch of the new Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy to deepen education collaboration, with 13 new partnerships between Canadian and Indian universities, a Dalhousie University innovation campus in partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, as well as new University of Toronto and McGill University Centres of Excellence in India.

• Greater student and faculty exchanges and research collaboration, including 300 funded Indian student researcher positions as well as up to $100 million from the University of Toronto for up to 200 fully funded scholarships for Indian students and outbound opportunities for Canadian students.

• $10 million in Indo-Pacific scholarships and fellowships under Canada?s Indo-Pacific Strategy, including support for over 85 Canadian graduate students and researchers to study in and collaborate with leading Indian academics.

• An MOU on cultural cooperation, including collaboration and exchanges among institutions in the performing arts, visual arts, music, books, and other creative industries, as well as entertainment technologies.

Canada and India have immense strengths and growing ambitions in the technology sector, particularly in AI, quantum, and aerospace. To forge new partnerships for workers and businesses, the prime ministers also announced:

• The Canadian Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation agreed to cooperate on Earth observation and intend to explore joint initiatives on space exploration and quantum technologies, leveraging space-based technologies to support innovation and disaster resilience.

• HCL Technologies, India?s third-largest IT services company, will expand its operations in Canada, increasing its workforce by 75% by 2030 and creating thousands of high-paying careers in Canada.

• An MOU under the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation Partnership to formalise strengthened collaboration on the development and deployment of AI, as well as industry cooperation.

To build on this vital work, Prime Minister Carney extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Canada.

To catalyse new investment in Canada, Prime Minister Carney met with business leaders across various sectors ? including technology, manufacturing, and energy ? with a combined market capitalisation of approximately $600 billion. The Prime Minister was accompanied by members of his Cabinet and parliamentarians, as well as senior executives from the nine major Canadian pension funds. They focused on the potential for new investments in and exports from Canada?s infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, mining, and defence sectors. The Canadian delegation emphasised Canada?s competitive advantages in energy, defence, agriculture, critical minerals, AI, quantum computing, and health technology ? and its role as a premier destination for global capital and investment.

The visit saw more than 10 commercial agreements that will create thousands of careers in Canada, boost bilateral investment, and secure new opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses. Combined, these partnerships are worth over $5.5 billion, building the foundations for increased Canadian exports to India. In total, Canada?s new government has helped secure agreements worth $85 billion in global investment in the last 10 months.

Canada is a Pacific nation, and stronger ties in the Indo-Pacific are crucial to our security and sovereignty. Canada and India will increase defence cooperation, including maritime security, and identify opportunities for bilateral and multilateral naval activities to deepen interoperability and promote knowledge exchange, underscoring our shared commitment to security and resilience.

Importantly, building on progress made in recent talks, the leaders agreed to advance bilateral cooperation on security and law enforcement. This includes issues of mutual concern to Canada and India, such as the illegal flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl precursors, and transnational organised criminal networks. Prime Minister Carney also underscored that Canada will continue to take measures to combat transnational repression.

In 10 months, Canada has secured more than 20 economic and security partnerships across four continents, attracted unprecedented levels of new foreign investment, and renewed Canada?s relationships with global giants. Canada?s new government is building a stronger, more resilient, more independent Canadian economy.

Quote

?India is the fastest-growing major economy and a powerhouse of global commerce and technology. In a rapidly changing world, Canada and India are transforming their economies to be more diversified, more independent, and more resilient. Our strategic partnership, and the speed at which we are working to unleash its potential in energy, talent, and AI, is the result of two confident, ambitious nations who want to build the future, together.?

? The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick facts

• This visit built on productive engagements undertaken this past year to advance cooperation between Canada and India and to revitalise the trade partnership:

  • Prime Minister Carney met with Prime Minister Modi at the G7 Leaders? Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, in June 2025, and at the G20 Leaders? Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, in November 2025.

  • The Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister, Nathalie G. Drouin, travelled to India in September 2025 to meet with India?s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval.

  • The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, visited India in October 2025 to meet with India?s Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. They have met five times in five months.

  • The Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, visited India in November 2025 to meet with India?s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. Minister Goyal expects to bring a business delegation to Canada this year.

  • In January 2026, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Tim Hodgson, attended India Energy Week in New Delhi, where he met with India?s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, and senior Indian counterparts.

  • In February 2026, the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Evan Solomon, participated in the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where he also met with senior Indian officials.

  • In February 2026, the Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, and the Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister, Nathalie G. Drouin, met with India?s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, during his visit to Canada.

• According to Statistics Canada, foreign direct investment into Canada is now the highest in almost 20 years.

• Canada is building a trading network that is the envy of the world, with preferential access to 1.5 billion consumers across 16 free trade agreements, 51 countries, and two thirds of global GDP.

• Canada is AAA-rated, has the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7, and ranks number one in the G7 for banking stability and number two globally for foreign direct investment confidence.

• Canada has the lowest marginal effective tax rate on new business investments in the G7.

Associated link

• Canada-India relations

Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi

March 2, 2026
New Delhi, India

Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, in New Delhi.

The leaders agreed that their joint efforts to renew and expand the relationship between Canada and India have achieved important results. During their meetings at Hyderabad House today, Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Modi focused on how they can build on this progress through new strategic partnerships in energy, talent and innovation, and artificial intelligence (AI).

The leaders welcomed the new Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy, which Prime Minister Carney highlighted in Mumbai earlier this week, to promote talent pathways, research exchanges, and joint programs between the two countries.

As a foundation to their ambitious new partnerships, Canada and India will strengthen ties in trade and defence. The leaders agreed to accelerate negotiations on a new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and to finalise it this year, with the goal of doubling bilateral trade within the coming five years.

The prime ministers reaffirmed their support for the reconstituted India-Canada CEO Forum. This forum will foster strong private-sector engagement and facilitate greater bilateral investment across key sectors, which are clear priorities for both leaders.

To increase cooperation in defence and security, Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Modi will launch a new Defence Dialogue. This will support maritime security cooperation and stability in the Indo-Pacific, as well as training, education, and joint exercises. The leaders agreed to negotiate a General Security of Information Agreement to facilitate greater defence cooperation.

The leaders affirmed the importance of their countries? shared commitment to democratic values, self-reliance, and respect for sovereignty and the rule of law ? including in combatting transnational repression and organised crime. They agreed that there has been significant progress in the security and law enforcement dialogue between their countries and that this work will continue.

During their meeting, the prime ministers discussed the evolving conflict in Iran and the wider Middle East. Both leaders reiterated the imperative to protect all civilians and to focus all efforts toward de-escalation, security, and stability in the region.

Prime Minister Carney thanked Prime Minister Modi and the people of India for their warm hospitality during his visit to Mumbai and New Delhi. The leaders reflected on the incredible ties their nations have forged over the past 80 years, including through the millions of people whose histories, families, and identities span the Pacific Ocean, with ties to both Canada and India. They acknowledged that Prime Minister Carney?s visit was a significant step forward in the bilateral relationship that will deliver real, lasting benefits to both peoples, as the two countries confidently chart ambitious new courses for the future. To build on this vital work, Prime Minister Carney extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Canada.

Joint statement by Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Modi

March 2, 2026
New Delhi, India

1. At the invitation of His Excellency Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, paid an official visit to India from February 27 ? March 2, 2026. This was Prime Minister Carney?s first visit to India after taking over as the Prime Minister of Canada and is the first bilateral visit to India by a Canadian Prime Minister since 2018. Prime Minister Carney was accompanied by a Canadian high-level delegation that included senior ministers, provincial leaders and leading CEOs.

2. Commemorating 79 years of establishment of diplomatic relations, the Leaders reaffirmed the importance of the Canada?India relationship, grounded in shared democratic values, deep people-to-people ties, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a joint commitment to the rule of law.

3. The Leaders acknowledged that, in an increasingly complex and uncertain global context, a strong, resilient, and forward-looking partnership between two vibrant democracies contributes meaningfully to mutual prosperity and to advancing shared global priorities. They underscored that closer cooperation between India and Canada will help reinforce international rules and norms that are applied fairly, strengthen economic resilience, promote sustainable development, and address global challenges including climate change, rapid technological transformation, and public health. The Leaders affirmed their shared resolve to work together bilaterally and in multilateral fora to uphold democratic values, support inclusive growth, and contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

4. Building on this shared vision, the Leaders agreed to adopt the principle of ?Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam? or ?One Earth, One Family, One Future? as the overarching guiding framework for the renewed India?Canada Strategic Partnership, reflecting their commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and collective global responsibility. They underscored the alignment between India?s vision of Viksit Bharat and Canada?s Build Canada Strong agenda, and affirmed that enhanced bilateral cooperation across growth, innovation, energy transition, food and nutrition security, trusted digital ecosystems, resilient supply chains, skills and talent mobility, and people-centric development will serve as a catalyst for resilient societies, shared prosperity, and a more sustainable future for both countries and the wider world.

5. Both Leaders welcomed the significant progress achieved since their meetings on the margins of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis and the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in the implementation of New Roadmap for Canada?India Relations, thereby providing a clear direction for strengthening the Canada?India partnership. They noted with satisfaction the increased frequency of two-way Ministerial-level engagements, which have injected renewed momentum into bilateral cooperation across priority sectors; welcomed the activation of various institutional dialogue mechanisms and enhanced sub-national engagement, underscoring their importance in deepening mutual understanding and policy coordination; acknowledged the return of diplomatic representatives to their respective missions; and appreciated the constructive steps taken toward the gradual normalization of bilateral ties, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations in a spirit of mutual respect, accommodation, and cooperation.

6. The Leaders highlighted the strong commercial foundation underpinning bilateral ties, reflected in the launch of negotiations of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and in significant business announcements and investment commitments in recent months. These developments demonstrate the expanding scale, diversification, and sophistication of the bilateral economic relationship and signal growing confidence among businesses and investors in both markets. The Leaders noted that sustained engagement between industry and government, supported by an enabling policy environment, will be essential to unlock new opportunities in priority sectors and to translate commercial momentum into long-term, mutually beneficial economic growth.

7. Building on this momentum, the Leaders agreed to deepen collaboration across the following priority sectors:

8. Recognizing their complementary strengths as energy powers, the Leaders agreed to advance the India-Canada Strategic Energy Partnership aimed at deepening long-term cooperation across the energy value chain. They reaffirmed the immense importance of energy security and diversification of supply for the safety, wellbeing, and economic vitality of both countries, and underscored their shared commitment to enhancing collaboration across clean energy, conventional energy, civil nuclear energy, and critical minerals to promote affordability, sustainability, and economic growth.

9. The Leaders welcomed the re-launch of the Canada?India Ministerial Energy Dialogue at India Energy Week 2026 as a key institutional platform to sustain high-level policy dialogue and strengthen strategic cooperation on energy security, diversification of supply, and long-term market integration. They also welcomed the finalization of a Joint Action plan under the Dialogue.

10. The Leaders also highlighted the potential to broaden cooperation across clean energy and climate-related value chains, including renewable energy, hydrogen and its derivatives, biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel, battery storage, and electricity systems modernization, recognizing the central role of these sectors in advancing shared climate objectives and energy transition goals.

11. The Leaders underscored solutions for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) as a key area of cooperation offering a significant opportunity for the sustainable production of energy and critical minerals.

12. The Leaders reaffirmed their intention to promote sustained government-to-government and business-to-business engagement, including continued expert collaboration and cooperation through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms, to ensure that the Strategic Energy Partnership delivers tangible, long-term benefits for both countries.

13. The leaders noted that strengthened institutional engagement would support expanded bilateral energy trade, including in liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), crude oil, refined petroleum products, potash, and uranium supply offtakes. In this regard, they welcomed the conclusion of a CAD $2.6 billion commercial agreement between Cameco and the Department of Atomic Energy for the long-term supply of uranium, contributing to India?s civil nuclear energy generation, clean energy transition objectives, and long-term energy security.

14. The Leaders noted that Canada is poised to become a major global supplier of LNG and welcomed India?s intention to source LNG from Canada. They further welcomed the emergence, over the past five years, of Canada as an important supplier of heavy oil. With India, positioned to be the largest contributor to incremental global energy demand growth over the next two decades, beyond its current position as the world?s third-largest oil consumer and fourth-largest LNG importer, both sides acknowledged the significant potential to further expand bilateral energy trade. This includes increased oil and LNG imports by India from Canada, as well as the supply of refined petroleum products from India to Canada. In this context, Canada reaffirmed its plans to expand heavy oil export infrastructure and supplies of LNG to the Indo-Pacific market through Canada?s stated goal of producing 50 million tonnes of LNG per year by 2030 and up to 100 million tonnes by 2040.

15. The Leaders welcomed discussions between Indian public sector oil and gas companies and Canadian energy firms to expand bilateral cooperation in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). They noted ongoing engagement aimed at concluding India?s first long-term LPG supply arrangement with Canada and expressed confidence that such partnerships will further diversify energy trade, strengthen supply security, and create new opportunities for collaboration across the hydrocarbon value chain.

16. Both sides also reaffirmed support for greater private investment flows and long-term offtake arrangements including through tools, such as loans, financing, and equity investments to support commercially viable energy partnerships. Through the India-Canada Energy Dialogue, both sides will set out a joint work plan to explore long-term contracts and address the challenges to growing this trade including shipping costs and increasing availability of Canadian heavy oil supply.

17. The Leaders underscored their commitment to deepening long-term, reciprocal investment partnerships across the energy and natural resource sectors, recognizing the scale of ongoing projects and emerging opportunities in both markets. They further welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Critical Minerals Cooperation, reflecting their shared commitment to building resilient, secure, and diversified critical minerals supply chains. In this context, they welcomed India?s endorsement of the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan, which supports diversified and responsible production and supply of critical minerals and encourages investment and innovation in value chains essential for clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and technology.  The Leaders also discussed Indian presence at the Prospectors and Developer?s Association of Canada (PDAC) meeting in March 2026, and commitment for a Ministerial-led Indian energy and industry delegation to Canada in summer 2026 to support robust commercial outcomes for Canadian and Indian companies.

18. Leaders agreed to strengthen collaboration in investment to support clean energy technologies and future-oriented industries. They agreed to deepen cooperation on critical minerals and energy transition pathways, including exploring collaboration on helping to secure India?s mineral stockpiling initiative, and supporting robust commercial outcomes for Canadian and Indian companies, while also sharing expertise on emissions reductions, and transition technologies. 

19. The Leaders also welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Clean Energy Cooperation, establishing a comprehensive institutional framework to advance bilateral collaboration across solar, wind, bioenergy, small hydro, energy storage, and capacity-building. They agreed to build a mutually beneficial clean energy partnership that strengthens energy security, accelerates the energy transition through information exchange and joint investment opportunities, and promotes two-way public?private engagement across the renewable energy value chain, including through a dedicated Joint Working Group. This cooperation will support sustainable economic growth, regional resilience in the Indo-Pacific, and the shared objective of building an inclusive clean energy future.

20. Canada expects to double electricity supply by 2050 and significantly expand deployment of renewable energy and energy storage. Concurrently, India has demonstrated leadership and capacity in large-scale solar and grid-level energy storage technologies along with scalable models in rooftop solar and other forms of distributed renewable energy solutions. In this regard, Leaders committed to convening a India-Canada Renewable Energy and Storage Summit in 2026 to bring together industry, investors, and government decision-makers to expand and diversify trade of these technologies into Canada, including through future procurements and supply chain partnerships.

21. They welcomed the deepening of cooperation under the existing Memorandum of Understanding on Climate Change and Environment, underscoring the strength of the partnership. The Leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to science-based, inclusive, and equitable climate action. They highlighted ongoing bilateral efforts to advance sustainable development by addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and ecosystem degradation, and agreed to strengthen collaboration on climate mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and reducing plastic pollution, with particular attention to building resilience and supporting vulnerable communities.

22. India welcomed Canada?s decision that it intends to pursue membership in the International Solar Alliance, underscoring Canada?s strong commitment to advancing clean energy and climate action. The leaders noted that Canada?s participation will strengthen international cooperation on solar deployment, innovation, and capacity-building, particularly in developing and climate-vulnerable regions. They agreed that enhanced collaboration through the International Solar Alliance will complement bilateral clean energy initiatives and contribute meaningfully to accelerating the global energy transition and achieving shared sustainability goals.

23. India welcomed Canada?s signing of the foundational documents to upgrade its participation in the Global Biofuels Alliance as a Full Member. This step will further advance the adoption of sustainable biofuels globally and strengthen cooperation across the biofuels supply chains, standards, and deployment, including collaboration on sustainability standards and lifecycle emissions.

24. Recognizing the growing complementarity between India and Canada in agriculture and agri-food systems, the Leaders underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation to enhance food security, farm productivity, and resilient supply chains. The Leaders highlighted expanding opportunities for collaboration in agri-technology, research, and value-added food production, and agreed that deeper agricultural partnership will advance sustainable farming practices, nutrition security, and mutually beneficial trade and investment.

25. The Leaders welcomed the proposal to collaborate on establishing a Canada?India Pulse Protein Centre of Excellence at NIFTEM Kundli. They noted the complementary strengths of the Province of Saskatchewan as a global leader in pulse production and innovation, and India as the world?s largest producer and consumer of pulses. The Leaders agreed that this initiative would strengthen agri-food research collaboration, advance pulse protein processing and fortified food development, and contribute to improving access to affordable, high-quality nutrition, while reinforcing sub-national partnerships and industry?academia linkages between the two countries.

Investing in Talent

26. The leaders underscored the central role of education and talent mobility in advancing people-to-people ties between India and Canada. They noted that the movement of students, researchers, and professionals has been mutually beneficial, strengthening innovation ecosystems and economic growth in both countries.

27. Recognizing the importance of international academic collaboration in fostering innovation; improving learning outcomes; and building a future-ready workforce, the Leaders agreed to deepen cooperation between higher education institutions by enhancing industry aligned skills training; expanding joint; dual-degree and twinning programs; facilitating the establishment of offshore campuses of leading Canadian institutions in India; strengthening research partnerships in emerging technologies; and revitalizing the Joint Working Group on Higher Education to further support cooperation in this area.

28. The Leaders welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding between India?s All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Canada?s MITACS to expand the Globalink Research Internship program, enabling approximately 300 Indian undergraduate students annually to undertake research placements at Canadian universities. They noted that this flagship initiative will strengthen institutional linkages, deepen academic collaboration across disciplines, and build future-ready skills through hands-on research and professional training.

29. Leaders welcomed a new Joint Talent and Innovation Strategy, a developing initiative aimed at embedding Canadian research and innovation capacity in shared priority sectors and strengthening two-way talent flows through structured mobility, joint training pathways, and research collaboration.

30. The Leaders underscored the importance of fostering deeper institutional partnerships, researcher mobility, and knowledge exchange to advance innovation, build capacity, and support shared Indo-Pacific priorities. In this context, they welcomed Canada?s Indo-Pacific Scholarships and Fellowships for Canadians (IPSFC) program as a meaningful step toward strengthening academic and research linkages between Canadian and Indian institutions. They noted that over 85 Canadian graduate students and researchers from 11 Canadian post-secondary institutions will travel to India under the program to collaborate with leading Indian academics across priority areas including clean hydrogen, climate resilience, artificial intelligence, trade and supply chain resilience, and sustainable development. The Leaders also welcomed the conclusion of twenty-four education-related MOUs.

31. Recognizing the deep historical connections and vibrant people-to-people links between India and Canada, the Leaders underscored that cultural cooperation is a vital pillar of the bilateral relationship. They noted that sustained cultural exchange strengthens mutual understanding, celebrates diversity, and builds lasting connections between societies, while also supporting creative economies and innovation. The Leaders agreed that closer collaboration in culture, heritage, and creative industries will further enrich bilateral ties and contribute meaningfully to inclusive growth and shared prosperity.

32. The Leaders welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation, reaffirming their commitment to deepen people-to-people ties between the two countries through expanded collaboration in the arts, heritage, audiovisual media, music, and creative industries. They agreed to strengthen cooperation between cultural institutions and creators in both countries through targeted initiatives.

33. The Leaders also underscored the potential of emerging technologies, including virtual and augmented reality and artificial intelligence, for the cultural sector and supporting sustained cultural dialogue, creative partnerships, and mutual understanding in this area.

34. The Leaders reaffirmed the importance of empowering Indigenous and Tribal communities in both countries and recognized their rich cultural heritage, traditional knowledge systems, and enduring contributions to national development. They welcomed Bharat Tribal Festival (BTF) 2026 as an example of an important platform to promote global exchanges in entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, and sustainable livelihoods. The Leaders agreed to encourage dialogue and collaboration in areas such as cultural exchange, skills development, traditional knowledge, and market access for community-based products, with a view to strengthening inclusive growth and reinforcing people-to-people ties grounded in mutual respect for diverse cultures and traditions.

35. The Leaders welcomed the recent Canada?India Track II Strategic Dialogue, which brought together policymakers, experts, business leaders, and civil society to explore pathways for translating the diplomatic reset into concrete cooperation across issues such as economic resilience, emerging technologies, energy security, and people-to-people exchanges. They noted that this high-level exchange underscored the importance of institutionalized engagement, expanded sectoral collaboration, and shared policy dialogue as enduring complements to official government-to-government mechanisms. The Leaders agreed that sustained dialogue across formal and Track II platforms will help deepen mutual understanding, strengthen bilateral cooperation, and inform practical, forward-looking initiatives that deliver tangible benefits for both societies.

36. The Leaders recognized the strong history of collaboration in the field of civil aviation between the two countries and its significant contribution to economic growth, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. They expressed their desire to deepen this collaboration through continued work to renew their joint Memorandum of Understanding on Civil Aviation Cooperation to help promote safe, secure, sustainable and resilient aviation ecosystems in both countries.

Science and Technology Architecture 

37. Recognizing that technology and innovation are central drivers of economic growth, competitiveness, and societal resilience, the Leaders underscored the importance of deepening India?Canada cooperation in science, technology and innovation. This convergence highlights the need to revitalize institutional mechanisms that can translate ambition into coordinated, results oriented collaboration. The relaunch of the Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee (JSTCC) is a pivotal step providing a renewed platform to enhance cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, strengthening secure and trusted digital ecosystems, accelerating clean tech and energy innovation, and expanding research partnerships. 

38. The Leader?s discussed the urgency and mutual benefit of strategic partnership on space cooperation by respective agencies and private sectors.  On the basis of trust built between the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) over the 30 years since a Memorandum of Understanding on space cooperation was first signed in 1996, space agencies and their national business and research eco-systems are positioned to rapidly and jointly pursue emerging opportunities.

39. This partnership will be guided by an ambitious Implementation Arrangement under the MOU to operationalize joint projects and facilitate technical collaboration in new and emerging domains, including atmospheric sciences, space exploration involving space robotics and human spaceflight, and quantum communication technologies, supported by enhanced capacity‑building and knowledge exchange between their agencies. More broadly, they affirmed the importance of strengthening connections across their national space ecosystems, encouraging partnerships among government organizations, industry, startups, academia and research institutions to leverage complementary strengths, drive innovation, and contribute to shared development objectives.

40. Building upon space cooperation, India and Canada intend to explore joint initiatives to integrate AI into space and aerospace technologies. By co-developing these AI tools for space applications and earth observation, both countries will advance innovation and reinforce their technological sovereignty.

41. The Leaders agreed to explore collaboration on AI assisted tools to strengthen the diagnostic capabilities of distance medicine to deliver modern, reliable health care to the remote regions of both countries.

42. Recognising the value of industry and academia partnerships, both sides intend to establish a program of cross-border work-integrated learning opportunities that will enable Indian engineers and researchers to gain hands-on experience at Canada?s world class AI research institutes and Canadian engineers gaining exposure to India?s expertise in the large-scale deployment of digital public infrastructure ecosystem.

43. Recognising the growing importance of resilient electric grid systems in the context of rising energy demand and the expanding role of renewable energy, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation through knowledge-sharing on the development of AI algorithms to predict energy surges and to better manage battery storage across different climatic conditions to support reliable, efficient and climate-resilient power systems in both countries.

44. The Leaders welcomed progress under the Australia?Canada?India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership and noted the recent meeting of the AI Ministers of the three countries on the margins of the AI Summit in New Delhi. They agreed to develop a joint workplan to advance practical trilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence and digital technologies and underscored the potential for deeper collaboration across digital infrastructure, semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, high-performance computing, Internet-of-Things (IoT), cybersecurity, and startup ecosystems. The Leaders further agreed to strengthen policy and regulatory exchanges to advance AI sovereignty, inclusivity, access and trustworthiness; promote AI adoption and related business-to-business partnerships; and advance joint capacity-building through skills development, training, and knowledge-sharing, with a view to fostering trusted innovation ecosystems and delivering tangible outcomes. The Leaders welcomed the codification of this work through the signing of a trilateral Australia-Canada-India MOU on Cooperation in Technology and Innovation.

45. To translate this shared vision into concrete outcomes, the Leaders agreed to structure the renewed India?Canada Strategic Partnership around two foundational layers.

Cooperation Security Cooperation

46. The Leaders welcomed the progress made under the regular bilateral security dialogue convened at the level of the National Security Advisors and the agreement to a shared workplan to guide enhanced cooperation on national security and law enforcement priorities. As pluralistic democracies, they agreed to deepen collaboration to address issues relating to violent extremism, terrorism, organized crime, including the illegal flow of narcotics and fentanyl precursors, cybercrime, extortion, financial fraud, trafficking and related criminal networks. The Leaders supported the establishment of security and law-enforcement liaison mechanisms to streamline bilateral communication and enable timely information-sharing and committed to strengthening cooperation on cybersecurity and immigration enforcement, consistent with domestic laws and international obligations. They also called for the early convening of the next meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counterterrorism.

47. The Leaders recognize the value of expanding practical military cooperation and welcome opportunities to deepen defence relations through cooperative activities, joint training opportunities, and professional military exchanges. Leaders welcomed a new Maritime Security Partnership in areas such as Defence Material Cooperation, Supply Chain Resilience, and Training and Exercises.

48. Both countries agree to institutionalizing an India?Canada Defence Dialogue which will exchange views on respective defence policies, regional and global security developments, and strategic outlooks in order to identify opportunities for greater defence collaboration.

49. In this context, they welcomed Canada?s appointment of a Defence Attach?to India and India?s concurrent accreditation of its Defence Attach?in Washington D.C. to Canada as important steps toward strengthening institutional linkages.

50. Both countries agreed to deepen cooperation in a range of regional and global fora. These engagements will strengthen coordination and promote a shared understanding of priorities in an increasingly complex strategic environment.

51. The Leaders agreed that the Indo-Pacific represents a region of growing strategic and economic importance and reaffirmed their shared commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific. They underscored the value of practical cooperation in promoting sustainable development, maritime safety and security, climate resilience, connectivity, and capacity-building across the region. The Leaders committed to strengthening coordination through regional and global institutions and partnerships, leveraging complementary strengths to support infrastructure development, digital inclusion, disaster preparedness, and people-centric growth, while advancing a rules-based international order that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity.

52. The Leaders noted the growing convergence between India?s vision for the Indian Ocean Region and Canada?s Indo-Pacific Strategy, grounded in shared interests in stability, sustainable development, connectivity, and inclusive growth. India welcomed Canada?s interest in joining the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as a Dialogue Partner, recognizing the value Canada can bring through its expertise in maritime governance, climate resilience, blue economy, and capacity-building. The Leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in the Indian Ocean through practical initiatives supporting disaster preparedness, infrastructure development, digital inclusion, and people-centric growth, and affirmed their commitment to working together with regional partners to advance a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific.

Partnership Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment

53. The Leaders noted that the renewed Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment marked a renewed phase of engagement aimed at reinvigorating bilateral trade and investment ties and setting a forward-looking agenda for cooperation, anchored in shared democratic values and growing economic complementarities.

54. The Leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral economic engagement through the resumption of discussions toward an ambitious and mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The Leaders expressed confidence that a comprehensive trade framework would serve as a durable economic anchor for the partnership and support the shared aspiration of expanding bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion / INR 4.65 lakh crore by 2030. They welcomed the finalization and signing of the Terms of Reference for CEPA negotiations and the launch of formal negotiations and expressed their shared commitment to conclude the talks by end-2026.

55. Acknowledging the evolving global economic landscape, both sides underscored the importance of a resilient, reliable, and predictable trading relationship that enhances supply chain stability, mitigates external vulnerabilities, accommodates each other?s sensitivities, and promotes mutually beneficial cooperation across priority sectors. They further recognized the deepening integration of their economies, reflected in the substantial workforce employed by Canadian companies operating in India and by Indian companies operating in Canada, demonstrating a significant two-way commercial presence that already anchors the partnership.

56. To impart greater commercial momentum to bilateral trade and investment ties, the Leaders welcomed a program of four reciprocal Ministerial-led trade and investment engagements, including two visits to Canada and two visits to India, accompanied by business delegations. They noted that these exchanges will help unlock new commercial opportunities, deepen private-sector partnerships, and further integrate the economies of both countries.

57. The Leaders welcomed the reconstitution of the India?Canada CEO Forum as a key platform to deepen private-sector engagement and advance practical cooperation across priority sectors. They encouraged business leaders from both countries to leverage the Forum to identify new opportunities in trade, investment, innovation, and supply chain resilience, and to provide actionable recommendations to support CEPA negotiations and broader economic objectives. The Leaders agreed that stronger collaboration between industry, government, and financial institutions will be essential to taking bilateral economic cooperation to the next level and delivering tangible benefits for businesses and citizens in both countries. 

58. The Leaders welcomed the launch of the Finance Ministers? Economic and Financial Dialogue that will bring together finance officials on issues such as payments modernization, financial stability, fintech innovation and capital markets development. As an early priority, this will include collaboration on the future of instant payments and explore opportunities on cross-border remittances and merchant payments. The National Payments Corporation of India and Payments Canada would be invited to participate, with the aim of boosting bilateral trade, while supporting tourism, education, remittances, and growth for SMEs in both countries. They noted that the inaugural Finance Ministers Economic Dialogue will be hosted at a mutually agreed time in 2026.

59. Prime Minister Carney expressed his sincere appreciation to the Government and people of India for their warm hospitality and reaffirmed Canada?s strong commitment to advancing this comprehensive partnership.

60. Both Leaders welcomed continued high-level engagement and expressed confidence that the initiatives outlined in this Joint Statement will further deepen the India?Canada partnership, strengthen mutual trust, and deliver tangible, long-term benefits for both countries and their peoples.

61. They affirmed that a stronger India?Canada partnership will also contribute positively to regional stability, global resilience, and shared prosperity, reflecting their common commitment to building a more inclusive, sustainable, and secure future.

• Factsheet on deliverables announced during the visit of Prime Minister Mark Carney to India

PM Mark Carney and Indian PM Narendra Modi deliver statements in New Delhi ? March 2, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Narendra Modi, his Indian counterpart, deliver statements following their bilateral meeting in New Delhi. (English interpretation only)

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