PM Modi, Carney review India-Canada trade deal talks, eye CEPA conclusion in 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on Tuesday reviewed progress in negotiations for a bilateral trade pact, and discussed cooperation in energy and technology sectors during a meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France.

The two leaders, who met in Evian, welcomed the positive momentum in India-Canada ties and reaffirmed their commitment to building a forward-looking strategic partnership, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

The meeting came months after Carney's visit to India in March and marked the fourth interaction between the two leaders in less than a year.

The two leaders reviewed bilateral economic cooperation, including commercial arrangements related to liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and metallurgical coal.

They also expressed satisfaction over the progress in negotiations for the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and reiterated their shared objective of concluding the talks in 2026.

The two sides welcomed the growing pace of high-level exchanges, noting Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal's recent visit to Canada and a planned Canadian trade mission to India later this year led by the country's Minister of International Trade.

Modi and Carney agreed to launch negotiations on a General Security of Information Agreement (GSOIA) to facilitate the exchange and protection of sensitive information.

The leaders reviewed strengthening institutional engagement between the two governments, including recent meetings of the Joint Science and Technology Committee and the Consular Dialogue, and looked forward to upcoming discussions on defence, finance and migration.

The two prime ministers also noted ongoing cooperation under the Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy, including efforts to boost skill development, innovation partnerships and educational collaboration.

Modi conveyed India's support for Canada's bid to become a Dialogue Partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

The leaders also announced the establishment of "Raisina Americas" as a platform to deepen dialogue, exchanges and cooperation.

Modi thanked Carney for inviting him to visit Canada later this year, and both sides agreed to remain in touch through diplomatic channels to work out mutually convenient dates.

In a post on X after the meeting, Modi said it was a "delight" to meet Carney and noted that their fourth meeting in less than a year reflected the commitment of both countries to stronger bilateral ties.

"We discussed extensive cooperation" in trade and economy, energy, technology and people-to-people ties, he said.

Carney, in his post on X, described India as the world's fastest-growing major economy and a "powerhouse of global commerce and technology".

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I are working at speed to unleash the potential of new partnerships between our nations — in energy, talent, and AI," he said.