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Canada-India relations

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Bilateral relations

Canada and India share over 75 years of diplomatic relations and deep people-to-people ties. Bilateral relations were formally designated as a “Strategic Partnership” in 2018, structured around Ministerial Dialogues on:

At the officials level, there are regular working groups that focus on:

India is Canada’s largest source country for most immigration categories, including 392,810 study permit holders with Indian citizenship in Canada in 2024. As of the 2021 federal census, there are more than 1.8 million Canadians of Indian origin.

In India, Canada is represented by the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi. Canada has Consulates General in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai, as well as trade offices in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

India is represented in Canada by a High Commission in Ottawa and by Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver.

India and Canada are deepening engagement, marked by meetings between Prime Ministers Carney and Modi at the G7 Summit in Canada in June 2025 and the G20 Summit in South Africa in November 2025, reinstatement of high commissioners and the announcement of a shared roadmap for future collaboration during Foreign Minister Anand’s visit to India in October 2025.

Trade relations

India is an increasingly important partner as Canada undertakes a comprehensive trade diversification strategy and seeks to double exports to markets beyond the United States over the next decade, including a doubling of two-way trade with India to $70 billion annually by 2030.

At the recent G20 Summit, both leaders announced the launch of negotiations for an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to encompass goods and services trade, investment, agriculture and agri-food, digital trade, mobility and sustainable development.

In 2024, two‑way merchandise trade between Canada and India reached $13.3 billion. Canadian exports totaled $5.3 billion, led by vegetables, mineral fuels and oils, and wood pulp. Merchandise imports from India amounted to $8.0 billion, primarily consisting of pharmaceutical products, machinery and equipment, and electronics.

Services trade also grew significantly in 2024. Canada’s service exports to India were $15.2 billion, an increase of 18.2% from 2023, with education‑related travel accounting for the largest share. These exports represented 6.5% of Canada’s total services exports. Service imports from India totaled $4.3 billion (up 9.3% from 2023), representing 1.9% of Canada’s total services imports.

India’s vast scale, sustained growth and economic reforms present significant commercial opportunities for Canadian companies and investors across a range of sectors. These include:

Clean technology and energy transition - India’s commitments on renewable energy, grid modernization, hydrogen development, and emissions reduction create strong demand for Canadian expertise in clean power, carbon capture, energy storage, and environmental services.

Critical minerals and supply chain diversification - India is seeking secure access to critical minerals for its manufacturing and cleantech ambitions. Canada’s resource base and regulatory stability position it as a strategic partner for long-term supply agreements, joint ventures, and technology collaboration.

Infrastructure and urban development - India’s infrastructure push—including transportation, smart cities, water management, and logistics—offers opportunities for Canadian engineering firms, pension funds, and infrastructure investors.

Digital industries and cybersecurity - India’s rapidly expanding digital economy aligns with Canadian strengths in AI, fintech, cybersecurity, and digital public infrastructure. Demand is growing for Canadian solutions in secure data management, digital payments, and advanced analytics.

Agrifood and food security - India’s rising middle class and evolving food systems create opportunities for Canadian exporters of pulses, canola, fertilizers, and agri-tech solutions, as well as partnerships in food processing and cold chain logistics.

Education, skills, and research partnerships - Canada’s academic and research institutions remain highly attractive to Indian students and partners. Opportunities exist to expand joint research, vocational training, and innovation partnerships in priority fields such as health, clean tech, and digital technologies.

Investment partnerships - Canadian pension funds and institutional investors continue to view India as a high growth market. Opportunities are expanding in renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, and financial services.

The 7th edition of the biennial Canada –India Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment took place in November 2025, co-chaired Canada’s International Trade Minister and India’s Commerce and Industry Minister. Both ministers emphasized collaboration in energy, supply chain resilience, critical minerals, aerospace, and investment, as well as plans for reciprocal investment promotion offices and a 2026 relaunch of the Canada–India CEO Forum.

Canada and India have a long‑standing record of cooperation in science, technology, and innovation under the 2005 bilateral Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, supported by the Joint Science and Technology Coordination Committee (JSTCC), which last met in Ottawa in May 2022 and committed to deepen collaboration in areas such as researcher mobility, nanotechnology, health, sustainable infrastructure, and clean technology The next JSTCC meeting is expected to take place later in 2026.

At the recent G20 Summit, Canada joined India and Australia in launching the trilateral Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation Partnership (ACITI) at the recent G20 Summit, aimed at strengthening cooperation in critical and emerging technologies.

Canada’s first Air Transport Agreement with India was concluded in 1982 and was last expanded in 2022. The Agreement allows Canadian and Indian air carriers to operate an unlimited number of weekly flights between specific cities in the two countries. Canadian air carriers are granted access to Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai, and access for India air carriers to Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Vancouver, and two additional points to be selected by India. Other cities in both countries can be served indirectly through code-share services.

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Development

Canada’s bilateral development program ended in 2006 following a change in Indian government policy on aid. Canada provided $2.4 billion in international assistance over a 56-year period.

Canada continues to provide international assistance to India through multilateral programs; partnerships between Indian and Canadian NGOs and academic institutions; and the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). In fiscal year 2023-2024, Canada provided $39.41M in international assistance to India via all channels.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and India work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

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