Canadian and Indian PMs Hold Talks

This meeting aims to reset a relationship that had become severely strained. Under the previous Canadian government, relations hit a low point following allegations in 2023 of Indian agents' involvement in the killing of a Canadian Sikh activist, which led to reciprocal diplomatic expulsions. Prime Minister Carney has actively worked to repair the diplomatic rift since taking office in March 2025, inviting Prime Minister Modi to the G7 summit hosted in Canada in June 2025. Carney's visit to India "marks the end of a challenging period, and more importantly, the beginning of a new, more ambitious partnership," he stated. A major focus of the talks is fast-tracking a comprehensive free trade deal, with both leaders aiming to finalize an agreement by the end of the year. The push for deeper trade ties comes as both nations navigate global economic shifts and trade tensions with other major partners. The economic relationship is already substantial, with two-way merchandise trade reaching $13.3 billion in 2024. Beyond goods, trade in services is booming; Canada exported $16.1 billion in services to India in 2024, making it the third-largest destination for Canadian services exports. A key driver of the services trade is education. In 2023, spending by Indian international students in Canada—on tuition, housing, and living costs—accounted for 88% of the $13.5 billion in travel services exported to India. As of 2024, there were 392,810 study permit holders with Indian citizenship in Canada. Discussions are also expected to cover deeper cooperation on energy security, critical minerals, and technology. A potential deal for Canada to supply uranium for India's nuclear sector is also on the table. Despite the diplomatic reset, sensitive issues remain. Canada's intelligence service still considers India a main perpetrator of foreign interference in the country. The topic of curbing the activities of Khalistani extremists in Canada is also slated for discussion between the two leaders.