Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced that India and Canada will strengthen cooperation in the defence industry, maritime domain awareness, and military exchanges. The announcement came after bilateral talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the national capital.
During the joint press conference, PM Modi confirmed the establishment of an India–Canada Defence Dialogue, marking a new chapter in strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Defence and Security Cooperation Gets New Momentum
PM Modi stated that growing collaboration in defence and security reflects the deep trust and maturity in India–Canada relations. Both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in:
- Defence manufacturing and industry partnerships
- Maritime domain awareness
- Military training and personnel exchanges
The move is expected to strengthen strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
Positive Momentum in Bilateral Relations
Welcoming PM Carney to India, PM Modi described the visit as significant and said the relationship has gained “new energy, mutual trust, and positivity” since their first meeting.
$50 Billion Trade Target by 2030
India and Canada have set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. Both leaders agreed to fast-track the India–Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to unlock the full potential of economic cooperation.
PM Modi highlighted that Canadian pension funds have invested nearly $100 billion in India, reflecting strong confidence in India’s growth trajectory.
New Initiatives in Agriculture and Renewable Energy
Agriculture, agri-technology, and food security were identified as shared priorities. The two nations announced the establishment of an India–Canada Pulse Protein Centre of Excellence to boost collaboration in the agriculture sector.
PM Modi also noted that Canada has joined the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuel Alliance. Additionally, an India–Canada Renewable Energy and Storage Summit will be held later this year.
Civil Nuclear Energy and Advanced Technology Cooperation
The Prime Minister described the long-term uranium supply agreement in civil nuclear energy as historic. Both countries will also collaborate on:
- Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
- Advanced nuclear reactor technologies
This partnership is expected to enhance clean energy security for both nations.
Education, Innovation and People-to-People Ties
PM Modi emphasized that people-to-people ties remain the driving force behind bilateral relations. New university-level partnerships were announced in areas such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, agriculture, and innovation.
Canadian universities have also agreed to establish campuses in India, further deepening educational cooperation.
A Forward-Looking Strategic Partnership
The announcements signal a renewed and forward-looking India–Canada partnership, with expanded cooperation in defence, trade, energy, technology, and education. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to building a balanced, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship in the years ahead.
