India, Canada reset ties with ambitious strategic partnership spanning energy, trade, security and technology

New Delhi, March 2. India and Canada unveiled a sweeping roadmap to revitalise and expand bilateral ties after delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney in New Delhi here on March 2, marking a significant reset in relations.

Prime Minister Carney’s February 27-March 2 visit – his first to India since assuming office and the first bilateral visit by a Canadian Prime Minister since 2018 – was accompanied by a high-level delegation of ministers, provincial leaders and CEOs, underscoring Ottawa’s intent to re-energise ties with New Delhi.

According to a joint statement issued following the talks, commemorating 79 years of diplomatic relations, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a forward-looking strategic partnership anchored in shared democratic values, respect for sovereignty and the rule of law. They agreed to frame the renewed partnership under the guiding principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (One Earth, One Family, One Future) aligning India’s ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) vision with Canada’s Build Canada Strong agenda.

Strategic energy and critical minerals at the core

Energy cooperation emerged as a central pillar of the renewed partnership. The leaders advanced the India-Canada Strategic Energy Partnership, covering clean energy, conventional hydrocarbons, civil nuclear energy and critical minerals.

A major highlight was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on critical minerals cooperation, aimed at building resilient and diversified supply chains for minerals vital to clean energy, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. India also endorsed the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan, signalling closer alignment with global efforts to secure responsible mineral production and supply.

In a significant commercial development, Canadian uranium major Cameco concluded a C$2.6 billion long-term supply agreement with India’s Department of Atomic Energy to support India’s civil nuclear programme and energy transition goals.

The two sides also agreed to expand bilateral energy trade in liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, refined petroleum products, potash and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Canada reaffirmed plans to scale up LNG exports to the Indo-Pacific, while India signalled interest in sourcing Canadian LNG as part of its energy diversification strategy.

Beyond hydrocarbons, the leaders signed an MoU on clean energy cooperation, establishing a framework for collaboration in solar, wind, bioenergy, small hydro and energy storage. A renewable energy and storage summit will be convened later this year to promote trade and investment in renewable technologies.

Trade architecture and CEPA talks

On the economic front, both leaders formally launched negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), expressing confidence that an ambitious trade pact could help expand bilateral trade to C$70 billion by 2030. The signing of the Terms of Reference for CEPA negotiations marked the resumption of formal trade talks after a prolonged pause.

To reinforce commercial engagement, the India-Canada CEO Forum has been reconstituted, while a new Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment and a Finance Ministers’ Economic and Financial Dialogue will provide structured platforms to deepen cooperation in payments systems, fintech and capital markets.

Technology, space and AI collaboration

The leaders also agreed to relaunch the Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee to accelerate collaboration in critical and emerging technologies.

Building on three decades of space cooperation between the Canadian Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation, the two countries will operationalise new joint projects in atmospheric sciences, space robotics, human spaceflight and quantum communication.

India and Canada further signalled plans to collaborate on artificial intelligence applications in space technologies, healthcare diagnostics and power grid management, alongside strengthening semiconductor, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure partnerships. Trilateral cooperation under the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation Partnership will also be advanced.

Talent, education and cultural links

Recognising the central role of people-to-people ties, the leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in higher education, research and talent mobility. A new MoU between India’s AICTE and Canada’s MITACS will expand research internships for Indian undergraduate students in Canadian universities.

The two sides also signed an MoU on cultural cooperation to promote exchanges in arts, heritage and creative industries, while supporting Indigenous and tribal community engagement initiatives.

Security, defence and Indo-Pacific cooperation

Security and defence cooperation will form a foundational layer of the renewed partnership. The leaders agreed to institutionalise an India-Canada Defence Dialogue and welcomed the establishment of new liaison mechanisms to enhance cooperation on counterterrorism, cybercrime and organised crime.

A new Maritime Security Partnership will focus on defence material cooperation, supply chain resilience, training and joint exercises. Canada’s interest in joining the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as a dialogue partner was also welcomed.

Reaffirming their shared commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, the two leaders pledged closer coordination in regional and global forums to promote maritime security, climate resilience and sustainable development.

A comprehensive reset

The visit marked tangible progress in normalising and strengthening bilateral ties, including the return of diplomatic representatives and activation of institutional dialogue mechanisms. Both sides expressed confidence that sustained high-level engagement and structured cooperation across energy, trade, technology and security will anchor a durable and mutually beneficial partnership.

Both leaders affirmed that a stronger India-Canada partnership would contribute not only to mutual prosperity but also to regional stability and global resilience.