Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced that India and Canada will expand cooperation in defence manufacturing, maritime surveillance, and military exchanges. The announcement was made during a joint press conference following bilateral talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in New Delhi.
PM Modi also declared the establishment of a dedicated India–Canada Defence Dialogue, marking a significant step in deepening strategic ties between the two nations.
Defence and Security Cooperation Enters New Phase
Highlighting the growing trust between the two countries, PM Modi said enhanced collaboration in defence and security reflects the maturity of bilateral relations. Both sides agreed to:
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Strengthen defence industry partnerships
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Boost maritime domain awareness
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Expand military training and personnel exchanges
The move is expected to contribute to regional stability and reinforce cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Renewed Energy in Bilateral Relations
Welcoming PM Carney to India, PM Modi described the visit as important and said relations between the two countries have gained fresh momentum since their first meeting. He noted increased mutual confidence and positive engagement at multiple levels.
$50 Billion Bilateral Trade Target by 2030
India and Canada have set an ambitious goal to raise bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. The leaders agreed to expedite the finalization of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to unlock greater trade and investment potential.
PM Modi pointed out that Canadian pension funds have invested nearly $100 billion in India, demonstrating strong global confidence in India’s economic growth.
New Cooperation in Agriculture and Renewable Energy
The Prime Minister announced the establishment of an India–Canada Pulse Protein Centre of Excellence, identifying agriculture, agri-technology, and food security as shared priorities.
He also confirmed that Canada has joined the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuel Alliance. Additionally, an India–Canada Renewable Energy and Storage Summit will be held later this year to strengthen clean energy collaboration.
Civil Nuclear Energy and Advanced Technology Partnership
PM Modi described the long-term uranium supply agreement in the civil nuclear energy sector as historic. Both countries will also collaborate on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and advanced nuclear technologies to enhance clean energy security.
Education, AI and People-to-People Ties
Emphasizing that people-to-people connections are the foundation of bilateral relations, PM Modi announced new university partnerships in artificial intelligence, healthcare, agriculture, and innovation.
Canadian universities have also agreed to establish campuses in India, further strengthening educational and research collaboration.
Strategic Partnership Moving Forward
The high-level talks signal a forward-looking India–Canada partnership with expanded cooperation in defence, trade, energy, technology, and education. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building a constructive, balanced, and mutually beneficial relationship in the years ahead.
