Carney to visit India in 2026 as CEPA aims to double trade

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has accepted Modi's invitation to visit India in early 2026, as both countries kick off negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that could double two-way trade to CAD 70 billion by 2030. The announcement followed a bilateral meeting on the margins of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, where leaders emphasised a high-ambition approach to the deal and the need to deepen people-to-people ties and diplomatic staffing to meet growing consular demands.

India and Canada are set to launch CEPA talks that would be more expansive than earlier rounds that stalled in 2023 amid a diplomatic row. Negotiations began in 2010, but were suspended; officials say the next phase will build on existing foundations and look beyond goods to services, investment, and collaboration in areas such as defence and space.

Canada's PMO and New Delhi agree to push the agreement as a powerful economic anchor, with trade targets complemented by collaboration in defence and space, and by joint efforts in knowledge transfer and people-to-people links. The idea of an AI summit hosted by India in February 2026 was welcomed, signaling broader tech and innovation ties.

Both sides aim to double two-way trade to CAD 70 billion by 2030 and to strengthen staffing to handle growing consular demands. Carney's visit in early 2026 will provide a platform to outline concrete steps and sectoral plans, including the AI Summit agenda that India is set to host, underscoring the broader tech diplomacy push between the two nations.

Cover image source: PM Modi, Canada's Carney agree to unlock potential for deeper cooperation in defence and space sectors 🔗

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