India’s Modi Expected in Canada in December as Ottawa and New Delhi Push for Trade Deal

By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
September 22, 2026

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada later this year as Ottawa and New Delhi accelerate negotiations toward a major trade agreement aimed at expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.

The potential December visit comes as Canadian and Indian officials work to conclude negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) before the end of 2026.

Canada’s International Trade Minister, Maninder Sidhu, said the government remains optimistic about reaching an agreement by the end of the year.

The two countries completed their fourth round of CEPA negotiations in New Delhi from September 14 to 19, with officials continuing discussions on trade in goods and services, investment and other areas of economic cooperation.

Modi and Carney could meet in December

The possible visit by Modi is linked to the G20 summit scheduled for December, where the Indian and Canadian leaders could meet again.

Prime Minister Mark Carney invited Modi to visit Canada during their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France in June.

At that meeting, the two leaders agreed to continue working toward a mutually convenient date for Modi’s visit and reaffirmed their objective of completing the CEPA negotiations in 2026.

Canadian officials have since indicated that the December G20 summit could provide an opportunity for the two leaders to meet as negotiations approach their final stages.

Trade agreement at the centre of the relationship

The proposed CEPA represents a major component of the broader effort by Canada and India to rebuild their economic relationship.

The two governments have set an ambition of increasing bilateral trade to C$70 billion annually by 2030. In 2025, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and India reached C$13.6 billion, while total trade in goods and services stood at C$30.4 billion.

Canada is also looking to expand trade with countries outside the United States as part of its broader diversification strategy.

India, with its large and growing economy, is viewed by Ottawa as an important market for Canadian businesses and a potential source of investment.

Energy and critical minerals

Energy is one of the major areas being discussed in the negotiations.

Canadian officials are seeking greater access to India’s market for Canadian energy products, including liquefied natural gas, while Indian companies are exploring opportunities to invest in Canada’s energy infrastructure.

Nuclear energy is another area of potential cooperation, with Canada looking to contribute to India’s nuclear supply chain.

Critical minerals are also becoming increasingly important.

Major Indian companies, including Reliance Industries, Mahindra & Mahindra and JSW Group, are exploring investment opportunities in Canadian critical-mineral projects as both countries seek to strengthen supply chains.

A major shift in Canada-India relations

The renewed economic engagement marks a significant change from the diplomatic tensions that affected Canada-India relations in recent years.

Since Carney became prime minister, Ottawa and New Delhi have taken steps to rebuild high-level diplomatic and economic contacts.

Carney’s visit to India in February and March 2026 was followed by further ministerial exchanges and renewed trade negotiations.

The two governments have also agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas including defence, finance, migration, science and technology.

The two countries are additionally negotiating a General Security of Information Agreement, which is intended to create a framework for exchanging classified defence and security information.

What Modi’s visit could mean

A visit by Modi to Canada would provide an opportunity for both governments to showcase the progress made since the diplomatic relationship began improving.

For Ottawa, the trade agreement is part of a broader effort to diversify Canada’s international economic relationships.

For New Delhi, stronger economic ties with Canada could provide greater access to Canadian energy resources, critical minerals, technology and investment opportunities.

The timing of Modi’s potential visit could therefore be significant if negotiators succeed in completing the CEPA before the end of the year.

For now, Canadian officials say negotiations are continuing, with both sides seeking to narrow remaining differences and maintain momentum toward a year-end agreement.