Canada
Modi and Carney push for India-Canada trade deal by December
A "warm and productive" call, a 300-delegate trade mission in India, and a possible Modi visit — Carney's diversification bet enters its decisive phase.
Published: October 13, 2026 · Updated: October 13, 2026 · 1 min read
Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Carney held a phone call on Tuesday agreeing to accelerate India-Canada ties toward a free trade agreement, with Modi describing the conversation as "warm and productive" in a post on X, according to nationpress reporting.
The call caps a busy week: Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is in India leading a nearly 300-delegate mission (Oct. 12–17, Mumbai and Bengaluru — his second trip in a month), following the fifth CEPA negotiating round in Canada (Oct. 5–9), with more rounds expected in November. Indian officials say New Delhi has made its "best possible offer" and awaits Ottawa's reciprocal response; India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, said, "We are confident we will have a deal soon."
Bilateral goods-and-services trade was CAD 30.4 billion in 2025, with a $70 billion target by 2030, per StratNewsGlobal. One outlet reports a deal "could be signed" during Modi's expected December visit to Canada — treat that signing claim as reported, not confirmed.
For Canada, this is the sharp end of Carney's trade-diversification strategy amid the U.S. trade war. Prairie agri-food, energy and critical-minerals exporters are watching for market access; India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said Tuesday the next 90 days are "defining" for the relationship.
What matters
What happened
Modi and Carney spoke Tuesday, agreeing to accelerate toward a free trade agreement; Sidhu leads a roughly 300-delegate mission in India this week.
Why it matters
A December deal would be the capstone of Carney's trade-diversification push amid the U.S. trade war.
What we know
The fifth CEPA round concluded Oct. 5–9; more rounds come in November; India says its "best possible offer" is on the table; a December signing is reported but not confirmed.
What we don’t
Whether Ottawa will match India's offer; whether a December signing actually happens.
What’s next
November negotiating rounds; a possible Modi visit to Canada in December.
Sources
- nationpress · other
- fact.net.in · other
- StratNewsGlobal · other
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