Modi eyes Canada visit in 2025, wants India-Canada FTA sealed first
Synopsis
PM Modi's signal of a Canada visit — contingent on the FTA being signed first — is the clearest political commitment yet to closing a deal that has been in the works for years. With a G20 deadline now publicly set by Carney and trade delegations already in motion, the India-Canada reset has moved from diplomatic optics to a concrete, time-bound agenda.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi signalled a possible visit to Canada in 2025 , contingent on concluding the India-Canada FTA beforehand.
The remarks were made during a bilateral meeting with Canadian PM Mark Carney at the G7 Summit in Evian, France on 16 June .
Carney confirmed both sides have set a deadline to conclude the FTA by the G20 .
Both leaders flagged energy, technology, agri-food , and education as priority sectors under the emerging partnership.
The two leaders have met four times in the past year, with the shared goal of doubling bilateral trade by the end of the decade.
Last month, Carney described the FTA as a potential 'game changer' for Canadian workers following talks with Minister Piyush Goyal in Ottawa .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 16 June signalled a possible visit to Canada this year and urged that the long-pending India-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) be concluded before his arrival, during a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France. The exchange marked a significant moment in the rapid diplomatic reset between the two countries after a prolonged period of bilateral strain.
What Modi Said at the G7
Speaking at the meeting, PM Modi expressed enthusiasm about the FTA and framed his potential Canada visit around its completion. 'You're right that we're very excited about the Free Trade Agreement. And, as you've invited me to come to Canada, I'm also trying to come this year. And, before I come, let's complete this agreement,' Modi said.
Modi also acknowledged the warmth in the relationship, thanking Carney for his 'positive contribution towards the Indian diaspora' and noting that the two leaders had met four times over the past year across multiple continents. He highlighted technology, energy security, and broader bilateral cooperation as priority areas for the day's discussions.
Carney's Response and the G20 Deadline
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reciprocated the optimism, confirming that both sides were making 'very good progress' on the FTA. Carney revealed a concrete deadline: the two leaders aim to conclude the agreement by the G20. 'His Excellency likes a deadline. I like one as well. And our deadline is to complete by the G20,' Carney said.
Carney also pointed to the expanding scope of bilateral engagement — citing university exchanges, cultural links, and trade delegations, including what he described as the largest trade delegation from India to Canada, with a reciprocal Canadian delegation to India expected soon. He reiterated the shared ambition to double bilateral trade by the end of this decade, adding that he believed both sides 'can do more.'
The FTA: Where Talks Stand
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both leaders reviewed the 'excellent progress' made in bilateral engagement and discussed pathways to strengthen ties across trade, energy, innovation, education, and people-to-people exchanges. Last month, Carney had described the FTA negotiations as a potential 'game changer for Canadian workers and businesses — unlocking a massive new market,' in a social media post following his meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in Ottawa.
Both sides have also identified energy, agri-food, technology, and education as key pillars of the emerging partnership, with Canada seen as a potentially significant partner in India's energy security strategy.
Context: A Relationship Back on Track
The Modi-Carney meeting is the latest sign of a deliberate and accelerating diplomatic reset. The two countries had experienced a sharp deterioration in ties in 2023 following diplomatic expulsions linked to allegations made by the Canadian government — allegations India firmly denied. The current warmth, with four leader-level meetings in a year, represents a notable course correction.
Notably, this is the first time Modi has publicly indicated a potential visit to Canada, lending political weight to the FTA push and signalling that both governments see the trade deal as the cornerstone of the renewed relationship. Whether the G20 deadline holds will be closely watched by industry bodies and the large Indian diaspora in Canada.
Point of View
Which have historically stalled the talks. Modi's conditional framing — visit only after the deal — is a shrewd pressure tactic, but it also raises the stakes: if the FTA misses the G20 window, the political optics of a stalled reset could undo months of careful relationship-building.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did PM Modi say he wants the India-Canada FTA concluded before his Canada visit?
PM Modi framed his potential Canada visit as contingent on signing the Free Trade Agreement, using the visit as a political incentive to accelerate negotiations. He made the remark during his bilateral meeting with Canadian PM Mark Carney at the G7 Summit in Evian, France on 16 June.
What is the deadline set for the India-Canada FTA?
Canadian PM Mark Carney publicly stated that both sides have set a deadline to conclude the FTA by the G20. He confirmed that negotiating teams are aware of this target.
What areas are India and Canada focusing on in their renewed partnership?
Both governments have identified trade, energy security, technology, agri-food, education, and people-to-people exchanges as key pillars. Canada is seen as a significant potential partner in India's energy security strategy.
What did Mark Carney say about the India-Canada FTA last month?
Last month, Carney described the FTA negotiations as a 'game changer for Canadian workers and businesses — unlocking a massive new market,' in a social media post after meeting Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in Ottawa.
How has the India-Canada relationship changed recently?
The two countries experienced a sharp diplomatic rift in 2023 following allegations made by the Canadian government, which India denied. Since then, both sides have undertaken a deliberate reset, with Modi and Carney meeting four times in a year and setting a shared goal of doubling bilateral trade by the end of the decade.
