New Delhi/Canada (Rajeev Sharma/ Gurpreet): India and Canada have finalized a comprehensive framework aimed at revitalizing their bilateral ties, following high-level discussions between Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi. The agreement is being hailed as a significant step toward enhancing cooperation across trade, energy, agriculture, technology, and strategic sectors.
Key Areas of Cooperation:
Trade and Investment: The two nations will initiate ministerial-level discussions to boost bilateral trade and investment. Plans include the revival of the India-Canada CEOs Forum in early 2026, fostering closer business ties. Both countries are also committed to resuming the energy dialogue and establishing a joint working group on higher education.
Strategic and Technological Collaboration: Cooperation will extend to civil nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals. These sectors are considered pivotal for diversifying economic partnerships and reducing dependency on traditional markets.
Economic Growth and Employment: Bilateral trade between India and Canada reached USD 23.66 billion in 2024, marking a substantial increase. This growth has expanded the presence of Indian and Canadian enterprises in each other’s markets, generating jobs and promising significant future opportunities.
Minister Anand’s visit underscores Canada’s renewed commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties. She met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who welcomed the initiative as a step toward new momentum in India-Canada relations. The new framework follows a period of strained relations, primarily due to the 2023 killing of Canadian Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Both nations have expressed a mutual desire to move beyond past tensions, focusing instead on constructive engagement, mutual respect, and collaboration.
This agreement sets the stage for a strengthened partnership grounded in shared democratic values, aiming to unlock economic, technological, and cultural opportunities for both nations.
