India and Canada Strengthen Defence and Economic Ties

In a significant move to bolster bilateral relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India and Canada will enhance their cooperation in defence and economic sectors. During a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Modi emphasized the establishment of a defence dialogue and set an ambitious goal to increase bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. The leaders discussed various initiatives, including the establishment of an India-Canada Pulse Protein Centre of Excellence and collaborations in renewable energy. This partnership aims to strengthen ties through shared democratic values and mutual trust, marking a new chapter in India-Canada relations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 2, 2026, 15:43 IST

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

New Delhi, March 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday that India and Canada are set to enhance their collaboration in defence industries, maritime awareness, and military exchanges, alongside the initiation of a defence dialogue.

During a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in New Delhi, PM Modi remarked, "The increasing cooperation in defence and security signifies our profound mutual trust and the maturity of our relationship. We have decided to establish the India-Canada Defence Dialogue today."

He warmly welcomed Carney to India, describing the visit as a significant milestone.

PM Modi highlighted that the relationship between the two countries has gained momentum, with increased trust and positivity since their initial meeting.

"I am thrilled to host Prime Minister Carney in India for his inaugural visit as Prime Minister. This is a pivotal moment for our nations. He graciously welcomed my delegation at the G7 summit in Canada last year," he stated.

"It is an honor to reciprocate that warmth today. Few individuals globally have the distinction of leading the central banks of two countries," PM Modi added, praising Carney for the enhanced cooperation.

He revealed that both nations aim to elevate bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030 and expressed intentions to finalize the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement soon.

"India and Canada are firmly committed to democratic principles. We celebrate our diversity and share a unified vision for humanity's welfare, which motivates us to progress together in all sectors. Today, we discussed how to transform this vision into a robust partnership, aiming for $50 billion in bilateral trade by 2030," he noted.

PM Modi emphasized that maximizing the economic collaboration between India and Canada is a "top priority," leading to the decision to expedite the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

"This agreement will foster investment and job creation in both countries. Canadian pension funds have invested $100 billion in India, reflecting their strong belief in our growth narrative," he remarked.

He also mentioned that enhancing agriculture, agri-tech, and food security are mutual priorities, announcing the establishment of an India-Canada Pulse Protein Centre of Excellence in India.

"We are delighted that Canada has joined the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuel Alliance. To further our collaborative efforts, we will host the India-Canada Renewable Energy and Storage Summit this year. In civil nuclear energy, we have signed a landmark agreement for long-term uranium supply and will collaborate on small modular reactors and advanced reactors," he added.

PM Modi described people-to-people connections as a vital aspect of bilateral relations, stating, "These ties are the driving force behind our partnership. Today, we have made several key decisions to enhance them, including new collaborations between universities in AI, healthcare, agriculture, and innovation. We have also agreed on Canadian universities establishing campuses in India."