India and Canada have decided to establish a dedicated defence dialogue as part of a broader effort to strengthen strategic cooperation and deepen mutual trust between the two democracies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision following talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, describing growing defence and security cooperation as a reflection of the maturity and depth of the bilateral relationship.
The newly announced India-Canada Defence Dialogue will focus on enhancing defence industries, improving maritime domain awareness and expanding military exchanges. The initiative is aimed at reinforcing cooperation in areas critical to regional and global security.
Welcoming Prime Minister Carney on his first official visit to India, PM Modi termed the visit an important milestone in bilateral relations. He noted that since their first interaction, ties between the two nations have gained fresh momentum, marked by increasing trust and positive engagement.
The leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to democratic values, diversity and global stability. They agreed that closer defence collaboration is essential in addressing emerging security challenges and safeguarding peace in an increasingly complex international environment.
Beyond defence, both sides reviewed progress across trade, investment and energy cooperation. PM Modi reiterated the shared goal of increasing bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030 and confirmed that India and Canada are working toward finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to unlock new opportunities for businesses and workers in both countries.
The talks also highlighted cooperation in renewable energy, civil nuclear technology and clean fuel initiatives. India welcomed Canada’s decision to join the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuel Alliance, while both countries agreed to convene a Renewable Energy and Storage Summit later this year.
People-to-people ties featured prominently in the discussions, with both leaders acknowledging the vital role of education, innovation and academic collaboration. New partnerships between universities in areas such as artificial intelligence, healthcare and agriculture were announced, alongside plans for Canadian universities to establish campuses in India.
The establishment of the defence dialogue signals a decisive step toward a more structured and forward-looking partnership, positioning India and Canada to collaborate more closely on security, economic growth and shared global priorities.
