Canada's relationship with India may shift toward pragmatic cooperation

Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting India to repair ties after a sharp 2023–24 dispute, with discussions focused on energy deals (including a potential 10-year uranium agreement) and accelerated talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to India is presented as an effort to close a bitter diplomatic chapter from 2023–24 and to inaugurate a more pragmatic, interest-driven partnership. The earlier dispute began after then-prime minister Justin Trudeau alleged a potential link between the Indian government and the killing of a Sikh-Canadian, a controversy that produced expulsions, visa suspensions and nationalist reactions. The episode also highlighted a deeper fault line over Sikh separatist activism in Canada and New Delhi's national-security concerns. Both governments are reported to view continued estrangement as costly and appear to be seeking a steadier, transactional relationship. Key developments: - The visit is described as business-focused, with Mr. Carney reported to travel to Mumbai and New Delhi. - A 10-year, US$2.8-billion uranium supply agreement is reported as a possible deal during the visit. - Canada is aiming to expand energy exports to India, including oil and liquefied natural gas, while more than 90 percent of Canadian energy exports currently go to the United States. - Negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement are accelerating, with a reported aim to double bilateral trade to $70 billion in four years and cover services, digital commerce, labour mobility, agriculture and critical minerals. - Security cooperation is expected to be part of the reset: Bill C-9 (the Combatting Hate Act) is noted as a domestic measure under debate, and the two countries are reported to plan a revived Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism with more real-time intelligence sharing and streamlined extradition processes. Summary: If the reported energy agreements and CEPA talks progress, the visit could mark a shift toward a more modern, interest-driven partnership between the two governments. Domestic political considerations, including parliamentary debate over Bill C-9, make the timing and implementation of some measures uncertain. Ongoing negotiations and any formal signings during the visit are the immediate next steps.