Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has arrived in India on a landmark visit aimed at diversifying his country's trade partners amid ongoing tensions with the United States.
Carney landed in the financial hub Mumbai on Friday, where he will address business leaders before meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday to discuss partnerships spanning trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence, and defence.
India's foreign ministry described the visit as a "significant step" in strengthening bilateral ties.
The trip follows tensions with US President Donald Trump, who imposed steep tariffs on key Canadian exports like steel, aluminium, and car parts, prompting Carney to aim at doubling non-US exports over the next decade.
Last year, Canada and India agreed to resume negotiations on a proposed free-trade agreement. Carney has previously stated his goal to more than double two-way trade with India by 2030, targeting an annual volume of $51bn.
India, seeking to attract more overseas investments, noted that Canadian pension and wealth funds have already invested $73bn in the country.
The energy-hungry nation, considered the world's fastest-growing major economy, also hopes for Canadian support in its ambitious nuclear power expansion plans.
During his visit, Carney will need to address damaged bilateral relations, which deteriorated sharply after deadly attacks against Sikh activists in Canada several years ago.
The administration of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Modi's government of orchestrating the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a naturalised Canadian citizen advocating for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan.
India has repeatedly dismissed the allegations, leading to a diplomatic crisis with both countries expelling top diplomats in 2024.
After India, Carney will visit Australia to address parliament and discuss military, trade, and defence links.
En route back to Ottawa, he will meet Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to discuss boosting trade in cars, energy, and critical minerals.
Source: www.aljazeera.com