Ottawa, Feb 26 (NationPress) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to initiate his visit to India on Thursday, which is anticipated to represent a crucial reestablishment of ties between the two nations.

This visit is notable as it marks the first official trip to India by a Canadian prime minister since relations soured under the previous administration, indicating a renewed effort to enhance and solidify diplomatic and economic connections.

As per a release from the Canadian Prime Minister's Office, Carney will begin his tour in Mumbai, where he is expected to engage with prominent business leaders.

Following this, he will head to New Delhi for high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 2.

"The discussions will aim at advancing and broadening the Canada-India partnership, focusing on ambitious new collaborations in various sectors including trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), talent, culture, and defense. Carney will also meet with business leaders to explore investment opportunities in Canada and foster new business partnerships between the two countries," the statement from Monday elaborated.

The announcement further emphasized Canada's economic capabilities, declaring, "Canada possesses what the globe seeks — abundant energy, essential minerals, technological expertise, and exceptional talent. In a world that is evolving, we are leveraging our strengths, diversifying our trade, and nurturing a complex network of new connections to reinforce Canada's position globally."

The Canadian PMO noted that India is recognized as the fastest-growing major economy globally and a dominant force in international commerce and technology. In 2024, India ranked as Canada's seventh-largest partner in goods and services trade, with bilateral trade amounting to $30.8 billion.

During the G20 Summit in Johannesburg last November, PM Modi met with Carney and highlighted India's goal of achieving $50 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.

Prime Minister Modi expressed the significant potential for enhancing trade and investment ties between the two nations.

"We are aiming for a target of $50 billion by 2030 for our bilateral trade. Canadian Pension Funds are also showing a strong interest in investing in Indian businesses," he shared on X following their meeting.

Earlier this month, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during the Munich Security Conference in Germany.

According to an official press release, the Government of Canada noted, "This marks the fifth interaction between the ministers since September 2025, underscoring the increasing momentum in the Canada-India relationship, rooted in over 75 years of diplomatic ties and robust people-to-people connections. The ministers conversed about amplifying cooperation in several domains, including energy, technology, and trade."

Highlighting India’s growing global significance, the Canadian government remarked, "As one of the world’s most vibrant and rapidly growing economies, India is a crucial partner for Canada," noted Minister Anand.

The ministers "confirmed the mutual technological advantages and substantial partnership prospects for businesses, industries, and workers from both countries."

Both parties reiterated the significant advancements made on the joint roadmap for Canada-India relations and their commitment to fortifying connections through the realization of roadmap priorities and enhancing and diversifying trade to support economic resilience and stability.

Minister Jaishankar remarked that his discussion with his Canadian counterpart was productive, focusing on further fortifying bilateral relations across various sectors.

Upon concluding his engagements in India, Carney will proceed to Australia before continuing to Japan, furthering his diplomatic outreach in the Indo-Pacific region.