Major energy and trade deals announced in New Delhi while foreign interference questions linger
Prime Minister Mark Carney stood alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday and declared, “We are one family,” as the two leaders unveiled a slate of agreements aimed at rebuilding and expanding Canada–India ties.
In a symbolic move underscoring the diplomatic reset, Carney invited Modi to visit Canada. The Prime Minister’s Office said the invitation was accepted, though no date has been set.
The visit marked a significant effort to stabilize relations that deteriorated sharply in recent years, even as political sensitivities remain.
Shortly after the joint appearance, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand addressed controversy surrounding recent remarks by a senior Canadian official suggesting India was no longer actively engaged in foreign interference or transnational repression.
“The words of the senior official are not words that I personally would use,” Anand said, while noting she supports the guardrails Canada has in place to address security concerns.
Her comments come amid criticism from segments of Canada’s Sikh community, members of the intelligence community and some Liberal MPs, including Secretary of State Ruby Sahota. A federal news release stated that Carney “underscored that Canada will continue to take measures to combat” transnational repression during his meeting with Modi, but provided no additional detail.
There was no opportunity for media questions. Carney’s first scheduled press conference of the trip was cancelled, with officials citing extended bilateral meetings and flight scheduling constraints.
On the economic front, the leaders formally launched negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), committing to finalize a broad trade deal by the end of the year.
Carney announced five memorandums of understanding, covering areas such as energy and artificial intelligence, along with 10 commercial agreements valued at more than $5.5 billion.
The centrepiece is a $2.6-billion uranium supply agreement under which Saskatchewan-based Cameco will provide nearly 22 million pounds of uranium to India between 2027 and 2035 for civil nuclear energy generation. Modi described the arrangement as a “landmark” agreement.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe welcomed the deal, saying it would benefit both India’s growing electricity needs and the Canadian economy, particularly in northern Saskatchewan.
Among other initiatives is the creation of the India Canada Joint Pulse Protein Centre of Excellence through a memorandum signed between India and the Government of Saskatchewan. Some commercial deals announced during the visit involve previously disclosed expansions, including projects tied to McCain Foods’ operations in India.
Carney emphasized India’s projected energy demand growth by 2040, highlighting Canada’s potential role as a reliable supplier of liquefied natural gas from the West Coast.
Business leaders travelling with the delegation expressed optimism. Goldy Hyder of the Business Council of Canada said trade agreements provide certainty at a time of global economic volatility, encouraging long-term investment.
While the Prime Minister’s Office points to $110 billion in Canadian investment in India in 2024, federal trade data shows India accounted for less than one per cent of Canada’s exports and imports that year. Carney has set a goal of doubling two-way trade to $70 billion by 2030.
He also noted the significant presence of Canadian pension funds in India, describing them as among the largest foreign investors with a long-term outlook. Modi cited existing Canadian pension fund investments in India at $100 billion, calling it a sign of confidence in the country’s economic trajectory.
Carney’s visit to India concludes Monday as he departs for Australia, the second stop on a 10-day trade tour.
The meetings in New Delhi signal renewed ambition in one of Canada’s most strategically important relationships. Yet as economic cooperation deepens, Ottawa continues to navigate complex security concerns at home — a balancing act that will likely shape the next chapter of Canada–India relations.