Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s invitation to visit India following bilateral talks between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa, reported news agency PTI.
“Prime Minister Carney accepted Prime Minister Modi`s invitation to visit India in early 2026,” said a statement issued by the Canadian Prime Minister`s office on Sunday, reported PTI.
PM Modi extended an invitation to PM Carney to visit India during the bilaterals in Johannesburg on Sunday.
The two leaders agreed to unlock the potential for deeper cooperation in defence and space sectors, besides advancing ties in areas such as trade, investment, technology and energy during the talks.
“The leaders agreed to formally launch negotiations for an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) encompassing goods, services, investment, agriculture and agri-food, digital trade, mobility, and sustainable development,” it said, reported PTI.
The prime ministers agreed on the importance of regular reciprocal high-level visits, including by ministers and members of the business community, it added.
Carney also welcomed the progress being made in the law enforcement dialogue between the two countries.
The India-Canada relations hit rock bottom following then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau`s allegations in 2023 of a potential Indian link to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India had dismissed his accusation as “absurd”.
The two sides have taken several steps in recent months to normalise their relations. They have also agreed to revive several mechanisms to advance relations in a range of areas.
Meanwhile, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that India and Canada have agreed to resume negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with an aim to increase the two-way trade to USD 50 billion by 2030.
An FTA or Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has many strategic elements to it and it is a demonstration of the trust between the two countries, Goyal said at an event on Monday.
The pact would give confidence to investors, businesses of both sides, he said.
“We have agreed to begin negotiations on a high-ambition CEPA and double the trade between the two nations by 2030,” he said, adding the two countries are natural allies and do not compete with each other.
The strengths of India and Canada can become a force multiplier for businesses and investors, Goyal said.
(With inputs from PTI)