Prime Minister aims for comprehensive trade deal by year’s end during Mumbai visit
Prime Minister Mark Carney described India as a “natural partner” on Saturday as he advanced plans to deepen economic ties, while sidestepping direct questions about ongoing concerns over alleged Indian involvement in violence and political interference in Canada.
Speaking in Mumbai, Carney focused his remarks on trade and investment, setting an ambitious goal to more than double two-way trade to $70 billion by 2030 and to finalize a comprehensive economic agreement with India before the end of 2026.
“We’re here this week because Canada and India are natural partners,” Carney said, pointing to family ties, existing commercial relationships and new academic partnerships between Canadian and Indian institutions.
The visit comes at a sensitive moment in Canada–India relations. Tensions escalated under the previous Liberal government following public allegations of “credible” evidence linking Indian officials to the 2023 killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. The RCMP has also alleged links between India and threats or violence targeting Khalistan advocates in Canada, while a public inquiry identified India as the second-largest source of suspected foreign interference in Canadian politics, after China.
Just days before Carney departed for India, a senior Canadian official told reporters Ottawa believes India is no longer engaged in transnational repression or political meddling inside Canada. That assessment drew criticism from Sikh advocacy groups and some members of Carney’s own caucus.
Brampton MP Ruby Sahota, who serves as secretary of state for combatting crime, publicly cautioned that any suggestion such threats have ended does not reflect the security reality facing affected communities.
Former national security adviser Jody Thomas also questioned the characterization, suggesting it may have been misstated.
India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, welcomed what he described as a clearer understanding by Ottawa, maintaining that India has never been behind violence or interference in Canada and that any criminal activity is a matter for Canadian authorities to resolve.
During a question-and-answer session in Mumbai, Carney did not directly address whether India had ceased such activities but said the two countries have been engaging in “good faith” discussions on security cooperation since he assumed office.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, speaking earlier in the day, declined to endorse the view that concerns have been resolved. She emphasized that public safety remains a priority and said security issues are raised in all bilateral discussions.
“No country has a pass on Canada’s public safety and security,” Anand said, underscoring Canada’s commitment to the rule of law and independent legal processes.
The primary focus of Carney’s trip, however, remains economic. In addition to trade negotiations, Canada announced new education initiatives aimed at strengthening research partnerships and student exchanges with Indian institutions.
Carney is scheduled to travel to New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of his broader trade mission.
The visit signals Ottawa’s intent to recalibrate relations with one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, even as sensitive questions about security and diaspora concerns continue to shape the political conversation at home.