India is discussing a possible visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in January, as New Delhi and Ottawa step up efforts to conclude a trade agreement.
The possibility of the visit comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Carney spoke over the phone on Tuesday. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to finalising the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) at the earliest and doubling bilateral trade by 2030, according to a TOI report.
Modi will visit Canada in December on his way to the G20 summit in the US. The trade agreement is expected during the trip, the TOI report said. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu are in India at present.
Modi said the two sides agreed to build on the positive momentum in ties and work towards concrete outcomes across trade, energy, technology, security and people-to-people ties. "Had a warm and productive conversation with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Together, India and Canada are contributing towards a more stable and prosperous world," he said in a post on X.
Canada welcomes growing engagement
According to a Canadian readout, the two prime ministers welcomed the increased engagement between the countries over the past year. This includes finance, defence and security, people-to-people ties and artificial intelligence. They agreed there is an opportunity to build on this renewed momentum.
The readout said the leaders also discussed the impact of geopolitical instability in the Indo-Pacific region and the need for trusted partners in energy and agriculture. Carney thanked Modi for his leadership in seeking a peaceful resolution to Russia's war on Ukraine.
The leaders welcomed the bilateral security dialogue held in India last week, part of the ongoing security and law enforcement engagement at the national security adviser level. They also agreed to stay in close contact ahead of Modi's visit to Canada in December.
The readout also welcomed the Team Canada Trade Mission currently under way in India, led by Sidhu, and Anand's visit to New Delhi this week to advance shared priorities in trade, energy and people-to-people ties.
Trade talks gather pace
The call took place shortly after Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal spoke to Sidhu about advancing the CEPA negotiations, according to ANI. Goyal said the talks focus on a balanced, mutually beneficial agreement that improves market access and opens new trade and investment opportunities.
"Confident that the CEPA will provide fresh momentum to bilateral trade and strengthen our economic partnership for shared prosperity," Goyal said in a post on X.
Also read: Canada to lead largest trade delegation to India in over 30 years, CEPA talks in focus
Sidhu is leading Canada's largest corporate delegation to visit India in three decades, with about 300 delegates. They will look at joint ventures in aerospace, clean energy, technology, life sciences, agri-food and forestry, as Canada seeks to widen trade ties with one of the world's fastest-growing major markets.
"We're also advancing negotiations on a Canada-India CEPA trade agreement, with the goal of opening more opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses," Sidhu said in a post on X.