Canada Intensifies Economic and Strategic Engagement with India Amid Diplomatic Reset

High-Level Canadian Delegation Engages Indian Counterparts

A high-level Canadian delegation, including Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, is currently in India to foster deeper economic cooperation and discuss strategic frameworks. The visits, which commenced on October 12, 2025, for Minister Anand, and included discussions by Minister Sidhu on October 11-12, 2025, signify a concerted effort by Canada to strengthen its ties with India. Minister Anand is scheduled for a three-day visit to New Delhi and Mumbai, while Minister Sidhu has engaged with his Indian counterpart.

Focus on Strategic Cooperation and Diversified Trade

During her visit, Foreign Minister Anita Anand is meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Discussions are expected to center on establishing a framework for 'strategic' cooperation across key areas such as trade diversification, energy transformation, and security. This initiative aligns with Canada's broader Indo-Pacific Strategy, aiming to position Canada as a reliable partner in the region.

Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu held productive discussions with India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Both ministers explored new trade opportunities in critical sectors, including:

• Clean technology
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Agriculture
• Critical minerals
• Infrastructure

The talks also emphasized advancing shared priorities such as food security, energy transformation, and supply chain resiliency. India was Canada's seventh-largest goods and services trading partner in 2024, with two-way trade reaching $30.9 billion.

Mending Relations and Future Outlook

These engagements represent a 'diplomatic reset' and a 'cautious thaw' in Canada-India relations, which experienced a period of strain in 2023. The downturn followed allegations made by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concerning a potential Indian link to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, claims that New Delhi dismissed as 'absurd'. A significant step towards normalization occurred in June 2025, when Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on the sidelines of the G7 summit, signaling a renewed commitment to bilateral dialogue.

The current visits aim to build on this momentum, with both nations seeking to revitalize bilateral mechanisms and deepen economic cooperation. Minister Anand will also meet with Canadian and Indian business leaders in Mumbai to boost investment and job creation, underscoring the mutual interest in expanding economic opportunities.