NEW YORK — Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed Tuesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Canada in December, signalling another major step in improving Canada-India relations as the two countries pursue closer trade ties.
Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Carney said trade negotiations with India are making good progress and described the relationship as important on several levels.
The expected visit follows renewed diplomatic engagement after relations between Canada and India deteriorated sharply beginning in 2023 amid Canadian allegations of foreign interference and transnational repression. Trade negotiations were suspended during that period but have since resumed.
Modi last visited Canada for the G7 Summit in Alberta in June 2025. Carney also travelled to India earlier this year as the two governments worked to rebuild political and economic ties.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States will continue purchasing Canadian potash despite exploring potentially cheaper supplies from Belarus.
Trump said American farmers need competitive fertilizer prices and Belarus is interested in selling potash at a lower cost. His comments followed concerns in Canada that Belarusian supplies could displace Canadian exports.
Carney defended Canada’s potash industry, describing the country as a reliable and cost-competitive supplier. He said Canada supplies about 40 per cent of the world’s potash and expects to remain the largest supplier to the United States.
Carney also suggested Canada and the U.S. could expand co-operation in potash, ammonia and other fertilizers to strengthen North American supply chains.
In another major announcement at the UN, Carney pledged $100 million in Canadian assistance for Palestinians. The package includes $80 million for humanitarian assistance and $20 million for peace and security capacity-building, including police training in the West Bank.
Carney also met leaders and senior officials from Chile, Angola, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates as Canada seeks to strengthen economic and diplomatic relationships beyond the United States.
Despite Carney and Trump both attending the UN gathering, a formal meeting between the two leaders was not listed on the prime minister’s public schedule.