Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is traveling to India on what experts describe as a "very significant trip" aimed at resetting bilateral relations and finding new markets for Canadian exports. While the visit, beginning Friday, is expected to focus on diplomacy, analysts question whether it will yield major economic deals to bolster Canada's economy.

Carney has pledged to broaden Canada's trading partners as relations with the United States deteriorate. India, with its 1.4 billion population, represents a potentially large market for Canada's petroleum and natural gas reserves, among other products. However, building economic ties will require overcoming diplomatic tensions and concerns about export costs.

Relations faced a diplomatic freeze in September 2023 after Carney's predecessor Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist activist on Canadian soil. India rejected the allegations as false, and both countries expelled diplomats. A breakthrough occurred last year when Carney invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit in Kananaskis, followed by the appointment of new high commissioners in September.

Carney's India visit marks his first major trip to Asia following his Davos speech outlining a "middle-power" diplomacy vision. The trip is expected to yield announcements on Canadian exports of oil, gas, uranium, and critical minerals, as well as cooperation with India on nuclear power development as a clean energy source.

Source: www.aljazeera.com