Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed his intention to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Canada as New Delhi and Ottawa continue efforts to strengthen their bilateral relationship and make progress toward a broader trade agreement.
The proposed visit comes amid renewed diplomatic and economic engagement between the two countries. Trade remains a major focus, with India and Canada working toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) designed to establish a wider framework for commerce and investment.
Both countries have previously set 2026 as their target for completing negotiations on the proposed agreement. The talks are part of efforts to expand economic cooperation and create greater opportunities for businesses in both markets.
Carney and Modi have discussed the future of India-Canada economic relations on several occasions. Their engagement gained momentum following Carney’s visit to India in March. During that trip, the two leaders agreed to accelerate work on the CEPA and pursue completion of the negotiations during 2026.
The leaders subsequently reviewed progress on economic cooperation during their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France in June. At that meeting, they noted progress in the trade negotiations and reiterated their objective of completing the CEPA talks within the year.
The renewed focus on trade follows a period in which relations between New Delhi and Ottawa had faced significant strain. The decision to resume negotiations on a broader economic agreement represents an effort to place greater emphasis on commercial cooperation and bilateral economic interests.
Carney had invited Modi to visit Canada during 2026. The two leaders agreed to remain in contact through diplomatic channels while officials work toward identifying a date that is convenient for both sides. The visit has yet to be scheduled.
A visit by Modi would provide another opportunity for the two governments to discuss trade, investment, and other areas of bilateral cooperation. It would also come as negotiators work to resolve outstanding issues surrounding the proposed CEPA.
For India and Canada, the trade agreement is intended to provide a more comprehensive structure for their economic relationship. Beyond increasing trade, the negotiations could support investment and deeper commercial links between businesses in the two countries.
With both governments maintaining their focus on completing the negotiations in 2026, the proposed CEPA and Modi’s potential visit to Canada are emerging as important elements of the latest phase in India-Canada engagement.
