Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Canada in December, as confirmed by Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday.
Carney mentioned that both nations are aiming to finalize a trade agreement by year’s end – indicating that the longstanding diplomatic gap between the two governments is narrowing.
“We’re making good progress in our trade negotiations with India,” Carney said during a conversation at the United Nations General Assembly.
“It is an exceptionally important relationship, on many, many levels. People-to-people levels, security levels and also trade and economic.”
Carney restarted trade discussions with the Indian government late last year during the G20 summit as part of his strategy to reduce economic dependence on the increasingly unstable U. S. administration.
He noted that they hope to wrap up negotiations before the G20 meeting scheduled for mid-December in Miami.
“[Modi] will be visiting Canada around that time,” said Carney. “I very much look forward to hosting him.”
The Carney administration continues to examine relations with India due to past allegations from the RCMP suggesting India’s government has been involved in homicides, extortion, and threats within Canada.
The two countries have been discussing a potential trade deal for several years now, but diplomatic ties were strained after Hardeep Singh Nijjar was murdered in Surrey, B. C., in June 2023. Four Indian nationals accused in this case are currently awaiting trial.
In September 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of having a role in the Sikh activist’s death. New Delhi has denied these claims.
Last year, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Director Dan Rogers pointed out that this issue remains unresolved, identifying India as one of the main actors responsible for “transnational repression.”
Carney has stood by his efforts to mend relationships, arguing that Canada has built cooperation with Indian law enforcement and national security advisers while pursuing a trade agreement.
The Canadian side believes a deal with India – one of the world’s fastest-growing economies – could potentially double Canada-India trade up to $70 billion.
Modi’s December visit was first reported by the Globe and Mail.
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