Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): British Columbia Premier David Eby is set to lead a high-level trade mission to India next week, signalling a renewed push by Canada’s western province to deepen commercial ties with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Announcing the initiative in Vancouver, Eby said the delegation will include BC’s Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, Ravi Kahlon, along with business and industry representatives. The mission is scheduled to run from January 12 to January 17 and will take the team to New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Chandigarh.
The visit comes at a sensitive moment in India–Canada relations, which were severely strained following the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. That incident triggered a diplomatic standoff between the two countries, though recent months have seen efforts to stabilise ties.
Eby underlined the economic rationale for the mission, pointing to global trade uncertainties and tariff pressures from the United States. He said British Columbia must diversify its international partnerships to protect workers and businesses at home. India, he noted, represents a major growth market with long-term potential.
“India is a crucial trading partner for British Columbia, and the opportunities there are only expanding,” Eby said, adding that the province is well placed to build on its existing commercial links with a country projected to become the world’s third-largest economy.
He also suggested that shifting global trade dynamics have created an opening for closer engagement, as India looks to strengthen economic relationships beyond the US. British Columbia, he said, already leads Canadian provinces in trade with India and is seeking to broaden that footprint.
According to a statement from the premier’s office, the mission will highlight BC’s strengths in areas such as sustainable forestry, clean energy, responsible mining and other resource-based and technology-driven sectors.
Asked about the ongoing investigation into Nijjar’s killing, Eby said the matter remains within the purview of federal authorities and the courts. Four Indian nationals were arrested in 2024 in connection with the case, and legal proceedings are continuing in British Columbia. He stressed that diplomatic concerns raised by both Ottawa and New Delhi would be addressed at the national level.
Analysts say the trip reflects a broader trend of provinces taking a more active role in international engagement. Vina Nadjibulla of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada said there is growing interest among sub-national governments in strengthening links with India, describing the approach as part of a more pragmatic foreign policy stance.
India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, had met Premier Eby in November to explore ways to expand cooperation in sectors including mining, technology, energy, clean technology and education.
The trade mission also aligns with recent efforts to reset bilateral relations following the change in leadership in Ottawa. Since Prime Minister Mark Carney took office in March 2025, India and Canada have moved towards renewed engagement, including plans to begin negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement later this year. Carney is expected to visit India in March, adding further momentum to the thaw in ties.
