Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and governance record, highlighting his disciplined work ethic and strong focus on delivering benefits directly to citizens.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Carney described Modi as a highly disciplined and unique political leader who has maintained an intense public schedule for decades.
Carney Calls PM Modi a Highly Disciplined Leader
Referring to his recent interactions with the Indian Prime Minister, Carney said Modi’s dedication to public service is remarkable.
“He is a unique leader. For nearly 25 years, whether as Chief Minister of Gujarat or Prime Minister of India, he has not taken a single day off,” Carney said.
He also pointed to Modi’s wide political reach, noting that the Indian Prime Minister regularly addresses massive public rallies, often drawing crowds of over 2.5 lakh people.
Insights into India’s Economic and Digital Transformation
Carney said his discussions with Modi gave him deeper insight into the governance vision behind India’s economic reforms and digital transformation.
He highlighted that under Modi’s leadership, India has focused on strengthening Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanisms to ensure government benefits reach citizens directly, especially those in rural areas and economically vulnerable sections.
According to Carney, reforms in financial systems and digital payment platforms such as Unified Payments Interface (UPI) were designed to eliminate leakages in public spending and bring millions of people into the formal economy.
Focus on Delivering Results for Citizens
Carney emphasized that PM Modi places strong importance on measurable outcomes in governance.
“He is a leader who strongly focuses on delivering results, whether it is for rural households or people living on the streets,” Carney said.
Global Diplomacy with Ground-Level Perspective
The Canadian Prime Minister also noted that Modi effectively balances global diplomacy with attention to everyday issues faced by citizens.
Carney said that while Modi represents “an emerging India” on the global stage, he also remains deeply connected to grassroots concerns and improving people’s daily lives.
Strategic Vision and Global Geopolitics
Carney suggested that India’s long-standing strategic outlook has anticipated several geopolitical shifts now reshaping the global order.
He pointed out that India’s tradition of non-alignment since independence in 1947 reflects its independent approach to global diplomacy and international partnerships.
India–Canada Cooperation in Technology and Security
Carney said there is significant potential for deeper collaboration between India and Canada, particularly in emerging technologies and strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI).
He added that both countries could work together to build resilient and reliable AI systems.
Acknowledging that India–Canada relations have faced challenges in recent years, Carney said both governments are working to rebuild cooperation.
“Over the past 11 months, we have made considerable progress in economic ties and security cooperation with India. However, there is still much more to be done,” he said.
The remarks indicate renewed efforts by both nations to strengthen bilateral relations and expand collaboration in technology, trade, and strategic partnerships.
