Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has signaled an upcoming visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this December, as both nations accelerate trade deal negotiations. With the bilateral trade relationship spanning goods and services worth over $22 billion annually, the potential for a finalized agreement remains a focal point for the two administrations.
Trade Negotiations Accelerate
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the anticipated visit while speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The diplomatic push follows a commitment made by the two leaders during the G20 summit last year, where they pledged to resolve outstanding trade issues by the current year's end. The upcoming G20 summit, hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida this December, serves as the primary timeline for these discussions.
Economic Stakes
Trade ties between India and Canada remain robust, with bilateral goods trade reaching $8.6 billion in 2024. The export-import balance shows a narrow deficit for India, which shipped $4.2 billion in goods against $4.4 billion in imports. Services trade represents an even larger component, totaling $14.3 billion last year, though current figures indicate a significant imbalance in services, with India importing $11.8 billion compared to $2.5 billion in exports. Any breakthrough in a free trade agreement would likely aim to address these disparities and deepen market access for service providers and manufacturers in both nations.
A New Diplomatic Era
Mark Carney, who assumed the role of Canada's prime minister in March 2025 following the departure of Justin Trudeau, is positioning this visit as a cornerstone of his economic agenda. Modi’s planned travel to Canada follows a previous meeting between the two leaders at the G7 summit held in June 2025. As Ottawa seeks to stabilize its international economic position, the integration of Indian trade remains a priority for the current Canadian government.