Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, held a "warm and productive" telephone conversation on Tuesday, agreeing to build on recent positive momentum in bilateral relations. The leaders discussed strengthening cooperation across key areas, including trade, energy, technology, security, and people-to-people ties, signaling a renewed push for closer diplomatic and economic engagement.
Renewing Diplomatic Momentum
During their call, both Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to concluding negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) at the earliest opportunity. This agreement is seen as crucial for supporting efforts to double two-way trade between India and Canada by 2030.
Prime Minister Modi shared on X that India and Canada are collectively contributing towards a "more stable and prosperous world." He emphasized working towards "concrete outcomes" in their Strategic Partnership. A statement from Carney's office highlighted the ongoing historic Team Canada Trade Mission in India, led by Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, and a visit by Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand to advance shared priorities.
The leaders also addressed the impact of geopolitical instability in the Indo-Pacific region and underscored the need for trusted partners in energy and agriculture. Additionally, Prime Minister Carney thanked Modi for his leadership in seeking a peaceful resolution to Russia's war on Ukraine.
Deepening Security Cooperation
The telephone conversation followed a recent bilateral security dialogue in India, where David Morrison, Senior Diplomatic and International Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada, met with India's National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval. During their October 5-7 visit, discussions focused on enhancing coordination and cooperation in combating transnational organized crime, terrorism, violent extremism, human and drug trafficking, cybercrime, extortion, and the extradition of criminal offenders.
Both sides agreed to identify additional areas for practical cooperation, including exploring the establishment of structured dialogues on cybersecurity and economic security. This meeting built upon previous security dialogues held in Delhi in September 2025 and Ottawa in February 2026, reviewing progress on the shared Security Work Plan. Doval and Morrison also acknowledged the growing potential for a substantive bilateral defense relationship.
Overcoming Past Strains
The recent positive engagements mark a significant recovery in India-Canada relations, which had deteriorated sharply in 2023. At that time, then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged a potential Indian link to the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an accusation India vehemently rejected as "absurd." Diplomatic tensions escalated with the recall and expulsion of diplomats from both sides.
Relations began to improve following the parliamentary election in April last year, which saw Liberal Party leader Mark Carney assume the premiership. Both countries have since posted high commissioners in each other's capitals, and a visit by Prime Minister Carney to India in March further solidified the renewed diplomatic efforts. The latest conversation between Prime Ministers Modi and Carney continues this positive trajectory, with Modi's planned visit to Canada in December expected to foster further concrete outcomes.