MUMBAI — Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in India on Friday as he works to repair Canada’s strained relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Both leaders want to reduce their countries’ reliance on trade with the United States under President Donald Trump and build stronger partnerships elsewhere. Experts say that goal is pushing Canada and India to move faster on trade and economic deals.
Carney will spend two days in Mumbai before travelling to New Delhi for talks with Modi. The two are trying to rebuild ties that worsened after former prime minister Justin Trudeau said in 2023 that Canadian security agencies were investigating “credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to the killing of Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The dispute led to both countries expelling diplomats and freezing parts of their relationship. Tensions have also been fuelled for years by disagreements over Sikh separatists in Canada who support an independent Khalistan in India’s Punjab region.
Relations began to improve in 2025 when Carney invited Modi to the G7 summit in Alberta. The two leaders later agreed to restart trade talks covering areas such as agriculture, digital trade, energy and technology.
Some Sikh leaders in Canada say Ottawa should take a tougher stance on India, citing ongoing safety concerns. Federal officials say discussions with India about security issues are continuing.
Experts say Carney’s visit may not produce a major deal right away, but it could set a roadmap for stronger long-term co-operation between the two countries.
