Thaw in ties: India, Canada push trade deal as Ottawa unveils new foreign policy
PTC News Desk: Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said on Monday that Canada and India will now work quickly to push forward a trade agreement after two years of tense relations. She explained that Canada has adopted a new foreign policy in response to the trade tensions caused by former US President Donald Trump’s policies. Her comments came after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met at the G20 Summit in South Africa, where they agreed to restart the stalled trade negotiations.
Ties between the two countries have been difficult since Canadian police alleged that the Indian government was involved in the June 2023 killing of a Sikh activist near Vancouver. Anand also highlighted Carney’s long-term goal of doubling Canada’s non-US trade within the next decade. Canada relies heavily on trade, with more than 75% of its exports going to the United States. While most of these exports are protected under the USMCA agreement, that deal will be reviewed in 2026.
“This is a completely new foreign policy approach that reflects the current global economic realities,” Anand said.
“There is a new government, a new foreign policy, a new Prime Minister, and a world where many countries are becoming more protectionist. This is an important moment for Canada as a trading nation.”
Canada is also trying to improve relations with China. Last month, Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping met during the Asia-Pacific summit, taking steps to repair their long-strained relationship.
In 2023, Canada had halted trade discussions with India after publicly sharing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s allegations that New Delhi was involved in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
- With inputs from agencies
