PM Modi Canada visit set for December 11-12, 2026, as New Delhi and Ottawa seek to deepen the India-Canada strategic partnership. Modi and Mark Carney are targeting progress on CEPA trade negotiations, energy and technology cooperation, security and people-to-people ties.
India-Canada strategic partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Canada on December 11-12, marking another significant step in the improving relationship between New Delhi and Ottawa. India's High Commission in Ottawa announced the visit following a telephone conversation between Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Modi described the conversation as warm and productive, saying both countries want concrete results across major areas of their strategic partnership. India's Prime Minister's Office confirmed that the leaders discussed trade, energy, technology, security and people-to-people ties.
The visit comes after a period of renewed diplomatic engagement between the two governments, with both sides increasingly focusing on economic and strategic cooperation.
CEPA trade negotiations
Trade is expected to be one of the central issues during Modi's Canada visit. The Canadian Prime Minister's Office said Modi and Carney reaffirmed their commitment to conclude negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement at the earliest opportunity.
The proposed CEPA is intended to expand market access, encourage investment and support the two countries' goal of substantially increasing bilateral commerce. Earlier joint commitments also set an ambition of expanding bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion, or about ₹4.65 lakh crore, by 2030.
Both leaders also welcomed the Team Canada Trade Mission to India led by International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu.
Energy and technology cooperation
Energy, technology and innovation are emerging as important pillars of the renewed relationship. Canada has significant resources in energy and critical minerals, while India offers a rapidly expanding market and technology ecosystem.
The two governments have already increased engagement in areas including artificial intelligence, research and innovation. Canada's official readout said the leaders also discussed the importance of reliable partners in energy and agriculture amid geopolitical uncertainty.
Progress in these sectors could give the December meeting tangible economic outcomes beyond traditional diplomatic statements.
Security and people-to-people ties
Security cooperation remains another important part of the relationship. Canada and India have resumed higher-level engagement involving national security and law enforcement officials, alongside discussions on defence cooperation.
The large Indian-origin community in Canada also gives people-to-people ties particular importance. Education, skilled migration, family connections and business links continue to connect the two countries even when political relations face pressure.
Both governments now appear focused on rebuilding institutional trust while expanding practical cooperation.
Modi-Carney bilateral talks
The Modi-Carney bilateral talks ahead of the visit show that both leaders want to maintain the recent momentum. Canada's government said they also discussed Indo-Pacific instability and Russia's war on Ukraine, while agreeing to remain in close contact before Modi travels to Canada.
The December visit will therefore be closely watched for progress on the trade agreement, new energy and technology partnerships, security cooperation and diplomatic normalisation.
For India and Canada, the key measure of success will be whether improved political engagement produces concrete agreements that can turn the recent thaw into a durable strategic partnership.
