Canada PM Mark Carney to visit India on February 26; trade deal, defence pact in focus
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKFebruary 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to embark on his first official visit to India since assuming office, with stops in Mumbai and New Delhi from February 26 onwards. During this trip, he will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss enhancing bilateral relations across key areas such as trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), defense, talent, culture, and investment opportunities. The visit reflects Canada's strategic focus on deepening ties with its Indo-Pacific partners, including India, Australia, and Japan, amid a "more divided and uncertain world."
The upcoming discussions aim to elevate the Canada-India relationship through ambitious new partnerships. A key focus will be finalizing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which was agreed upon at the G20 Leaders' Summit in 2023. This agreement seeks to nearly double two-way trade from $30.8 billion in 2024 to $70 billion by 2030, making it a significant milestone for both nations. India currently stands as Canada's seventh-largest trading partner in goods and services.
India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, expressed optimism about concluding the comprehensive trade agreement within the next year, despite past delays. This visit comes during a period of improving relations between the two countries, with both sides demonstrating a renewed commitment to strengthening economic and strategic collaboration. The potential finalization of CEPA and the expansion of defense ties highlight the mutual benefits for India and Canada in fostering a stronger partnership.
This trip underscores the growing importance
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/23/2026