PM Modi Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening India-Canada Ties
Both countries review cooperation in trade, energy, education and security, with a focus on concluding the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
NEW DELHI: India and Canada on Wednesday reviewed progress in their bilateral relationship, covering trade, investment, education, energy, defence and people to people exchanges, as Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
During his meeting with Anand, Modi stressed the need to maintain the positive momentum in bilateral engagement and convert ongoing discussions into concrete outcomes. He also underlined the importance of concluding negotiations on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) at the earliest.
The prime minister said he looked forward to continuing his engagement with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
In a post on X, Modi described his meeting with Anand as productive and reiterated India’s commitment to developing a constructive and forward-looking strategic partnership with Canada that would benefit the people of both countries.
Modi is scheduled to visit Canada in December, when the two countries are expected to advance their economic partnership, with the proposed CEPA likely to feature prominently in discussions.
Separately, Anand held talks with Jaishankar, during which the two ministers discussed the renewed momentum in bilateral relations and explored opportunities to expand cooperation amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.
According to a Canadian government statement, Anand emphasised the importance Canada attaches to India as a partner. The discussions reflected sustained high-level engagement between the two countries over the past year and efforts to strengthen their strategic partnership.
The ministers assessed progress made since the launch of a joint roadmap during Anand’s visit to India last year. They discussed ways to advance its key priorities, including economic cooperation, energy, people-to-people exchanges, and security and defence ties.
The talks also covered major international developments, including the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the war in Ukraine, the Canadian statement said.
Security cooperation featured prominently in the discussions. Both ministers welcomed the recent security dialogue held in India at the level of National Security Advisers, during which officials reviewed bilateral cooperation in security and law enforcement.
The officials also committed to maintaining regular engagement on security-related matters of mutual interest, reflecting efforts by both governments to strengthen communication and address shared concerns.
On the economic front, the ministers welcomed ongoing efforts to advance negotiations for the CEPA, which is expected to provide a framework for expanding trade and investment between the two countries.
The agreement is part of broader efforts to deepen economic links, improve market access and create additional opportunities for businesses in both countries.
The latest meetings indicate a renewed push by New Delhi and Ottawa to strengthen relations through sustained dialogue and practical cooperation across multiple sectors. Both sides are seeking to build on recent diplomatic engagement and translate their commitments into measurable progress.
With further high-level discussions expected in the coming months, the proposed economic agreement and cooperation in security, energy and trade are likely to remain central to the India-Canada partnership.
