New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Canada on December 11 and 12, 2026, as New Delhi and Ottawa seek to strengthen bilateral relations and expand economic cooperation. The dates were announced by the High Commission of India in Ottawa on Friday, following a telephone conversation between Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier this week.
The upcoming visit comes amid renewed diplomatic engagement between the two countries, with both leaders seeking tangible progress in trade, energy, technology, security and people-to-people exchanges.
In its announcement, the Indian High Commission said the leaders had agreed to build on the positive momentum in bilateral ties and work towards concrete outcomes across key areas of their strategic partnership.
Modi also described his conversation with Carney as warm and productive, reiterating the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
What Did Modi And Carney Discuss During Their Phone Call?
According to a statement from the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to concluding negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) at the earliest opportunity.
The proposed agreement is expected to support their shared ambition of doubling bilateral trade by 2030. The negotiations cover a broader economic partnership, with both governments looking to create additional opportunities for businesses and investors.
The leaders also discussed the effects of geopolitical instability on the Indo-Pacific region and highlighted the importance of reliable partnerships in energy and agriculture.
Carney thanked Modi for his efforts towards finding a peaceful resolution to Russia’s war on Ukraine. Both leaders agreed to remain in contact ahead of the Indian Prime Minister’s December visit.
India-Canada Trade Deal And The 2030 Target
The CEPA negotiations have emerged as a major focus of the renewed engagement between New Delhi and Ottawa. Both countries are looking to expand commercial ties and establish a stronger framework for trade and investment.
The Canadian government has previously identified a target of increasing two-way trade to 70 billion Canadian dollars by 2030. The proposed trade agreement is expected to help advance that objective by improving commercial opportunities and strengthening economic cooperation.
The latest diplomatic conversation comes as Canada intensifies its engagement with Indian businesses and government officials. A Team Canada Trade Mission, led by Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, is visiting India with a delegation of business representatives to explore opportunities across key sectors.
Anita Anand’s India Visit Adds Momentum To Bilateral Ties
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand also visited New Delhi this week, where she met Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Discussions focused on trade, investment, security, energy, technology and closer people-to-people connections.
Following her meeting with Modi, Anand highlighted the potential for India and Canada to build a more prosperous future through their strategic partnership. She also pointed to the longstanding links between the countries, strengthened over generations by families, students and entrepreneurs.
In a separate statement, Anand said she was encouraged by progress made since her previous meeting with Jaishankar, particularly in trade negotiations and cooperation in energy, innovation and security.
The parallel diplomatic and business engagements indicate that both governments are seeking practical outcomes from their renewed relationship.
What To Expect From Modi’s December Visit
Modi’s December 11–12 trip will provide another opportunity for the two governments to discuss the next steps in their strategic partnership. Trade negotiations are expected to remain a central issue, alongside cooperation in energy, technology, security and other shared priorities.
The two countries have also expressed interest in strengthening collaboration amid changes in the international economic and geopolitical environment.
While both governments have reiterated their commitment to advancing the CEPA negotiations, the agreement has not yet been concluded. The upcoming visit will take place against the backdrop of efforts to turn the recent diplomatic momentum into concrete economic and strategic outcomes.
