PM Modi set to visit Canada in December, says Mark Carney at UNGA
Synopsis
Canadian PM Mark Carney's confirmation of a Modi visit to Canada in December — made at UNGA in New York — is the clearest signal yet that the India-Canada relationship has turned a corner after years of diplomatic turbulence. With a $70-billion trade target by 2030 and CEPA talks at round four, the visit could be the catalyst that seals a landmark economic agreement.
Key Takeaways
Canadian PM Mark Carney confirmed on 23 September 2026 that PM Modi is expected to visit Canada in December 2026 .
Carney described India-Canada trade negotiations as making 'good progress,' calling the relationship 'exceptionally important.' Both sides are working to conclude a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) before the end of 2026 .
Two-way trade stood at $30.8 billion in 2024 ; the joint target is $70 billion by 2030 .
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu held productive CEPA talks this week; round four of negotiations has been completed.
The announcement signals a significant diplomatic reset after a period of bilateral strain.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed on Tuesday, 23 September 2026, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada in December. The announcement comes as both nations work to finalise a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) before the end of 2026.
What Carney Said
Mark Carney described the India-Canada relationship as 'exceptionally important' across multiple sectors, and expressed warm anticipation of hosting the Indian Prime Minister. 'We're making good progress in our trade negotiations with India. It is an exceptionally important relationship, on many, many levels... He (PM Modi) will be visiting Canada around that time. I very much look forward to hosting him,' Carney said during a press briefing at the margins of UN High Level Week.
CEPA Talks Gathering Momentum
The Modi visit signal comes amid a flurry of high-level trade diplomacy between the two countries. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand indicated this week that she looks forward to meeting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss the CEPA. In a post on X, Anand wrote: 'The Canada-India bilateral relationship is growing and the conclusion of the CEPA before the end of the year is key to our overall strategy. I look forward to speaking with @DrSJaishankar this week during @UN high level week.'
Separately, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held what both sides described as a productive meeting with Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu on advancing CEPA negotiations. Both ministers reaffirmed 'our leadership's commitment to expedite negotiations and conclude CEPA at the earliest, unlocking new opportunities across trade in goods, services, and investment,' according to a post by Goyal on X.
The Trade Numbers at Stake
Canada and India recorded $30.8 billion in two-way trade in 2024. Both sides have set a target of more than doubling that figure to $70 billion by 2030. Minister Sidhu, who said he had just concluded round four of trade negotiations, identified agriculture and agri-food, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and technology, aerospace, and defence as key sectors where a CEPA could open significant new doors for Canadian businesses in one of the world's fastest-growing markets.
Context: A Reset After Diplomatic Turbulence
The warmth on display at UNGA 2026 marks a striking contrast to the diplomatic strain that had characterised India-Canada ties in recent years, following Ottawa's allegations linking Indian agents to the killing of a Canadian Sikh separatist — claims New Delhi firmly rejected. The active pursuit of CEPA and the confirmation of a Modi visit suggest both governments have chosen to prioritise economic partnership over unresolved political friction. Notably, this would mark a significant moment in the bilateral reset, with a head-of-government visit lending political weight to the trade talks.
What Comes Next
Minister Sidhu indicated he expects to meet Minister Goyal again 'in the coming weeks' to build further momentum. With a December Modi visit now flagged, both sides are under pressure to show tangible CEPA progress before that meeting materialises. Any agreement signed or substantially concluded during the visit could reshape trade corridors across multiple high-value sectors.
Point of View
Diaspora communities, and geopolitical observers that Ottawa has chosen economic pragmatism over the unresolved political grievances that froze this relationship. The $70-billion trade target by 2030 is ambitious but achievable only if CEPA clears legal scrubbing and parliamentary hurdles on both sides within months. The real risk is that the visit becomes a photo-op if the agreement is not substantially concluded beforehand — in which case the reset narrative absorbs another setback. The window between now and December is short, and the pressure on negotiators is real.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is PM Modi expected to visit Canada?
PM Modi is expected to visit Canada in December 2026, as confirmed by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at a press briefing on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on 23 September 2026.
What is the India-Canada CEPA?
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is a proposed free-trade deal between India and Canada aimed at significantly expanding bilateral trade. The two countries recorded $30.8 billion in two-way trade in 2024 and have set a joint goal of reaching $70 billion by 2030.
How advanced are India-Canada CEPA negotiations?
Negotiations are at round four as of September 2026, with Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu describing the process as requiring 'sustained, face-to-face cooperation.' Both sides have reaffirmed leadership-level commitment to concluding the agreement at the earliest.
Who are the key officials involved in the CEPA talks?
On the Indian side, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar are leading engagement. On the Canadian side, Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand are the principal interlocutors.
Why does the Modi-Canada visit matter beyond trade?
The visit would mark a significant diplomatic reset after a period of strain in India-Canada relations. A head-of-government visit lends political credibility to the trade talks and, if a CEPA is signed or concluded during the trip, could redefine the bilateral relationship for the decade ahead.
