Mumbai (Rajeev Sharma/Gurpreet Singh): Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday commenced a four-day visit to India, choosing Mumbai as the first stop in a trip designed to deepen commercial engagement and reset diplomatic momentum between the two countries. He is travelling with his wife, Daina Fix Carney.
Describing India as the fastest-expanding major economy, Carney said his immediate focus would be discussions with corporate leaders to explore investment avenues and generate economic gains for Canadian businesses and workers.
After his engagements in Mumbai, the Canadian leader will head to New Delhi on March 1. Talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi are scheduled for March 2, where both sides are expected to review the state of bilateral cooperation and chart a forward-looking roadmap. Carney is also set to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and participate in the India-Canada CEO Forum in the capital, addressing business representatives from both nations.
The visit is being closely watched as Ottawa and New Delhi attempt to move beyond recent diplomatic tensions. Relations had cooled during the tenure of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau following accusations related to the killing of Sikh separatist figures on Canadian soil — allegations that India firmly denied.
Officials indicated that discussions during this visit will span a wide spectrum, including trade flows, investment partnerships, energy security, collaboration on critical minerals, agricultural links, educational exchanges, and innovation-driven research. Broader regional and global issues are also expected to feature in the leaders’ dialogue.
Carney and Modi had earlier interacted in Kananaskis in June 2025 and later in Johannesburg in November 2025, laying groundwork for renewed engagement. The current visit is seen as an effort to translate those conversations into concrete outcomes.
With Canada seeking to diversify its international partnerships amid evolving global dynamics, and India continuing its upward economic trajectory, both governments appear keen to open a new chapter in their strategic relationship.
