Carney, Modi Release Joint Statement to Deepen India–Canada Strategic Partnership

The March 2 statement concludes Prime Minister Carney’s first official visit to India since taking office and marks the first bilateral visit by a Canadian Prime Minister to India since 2018.

Commemorating 79 years of diplomatic relations, both leaders reaffirmed that the partnership is grounded in shared democratic values, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, rule of law, and deep people-to-people ties.

“One Earth, One Family, One Future” Framework

The leaders agreed to adopt the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — “One Earth, One Family, One Future” — as the guiding framework for the renewed partnership. The approach aligns India’s Viksit Bharat vision with Canada’s Build Canada Strong agenda.

The framework centres on sustainable growth, inclusive development, resilient supply chains, trusted digital ecosystems, food security, clean energy transition, and innovation-driven economic expansion.

Canada and India are ambitious nations on confident missions to build and transform our economies.

We will move faster, build bigger, and deliver more prosperity for our peoples, by working in partnership. pic.twitter.com/6rFU8ZjgI6

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) March 2, 2026

Strategic Energy and Critical Minerals Cooperation

A major pillar of the joint statement is the India–Canada Strategic Energy Partnership, covering LNG, LPG, uranium, hydrogen, renewables, and critical minerals.

Leaders welcomed:

• A CAD $2.6 billion Cameco agreement to supply nearly 22 million pounds of uranium to India for civil nuclear generation from 2027 to 2035.

• A Memorandum of Understanding on Critical Minerals Cooperation to build diversified and secure supply chains.

• A Clean Energy Cooperation MOU covering solar, wind, bioenergy, small hydro, energy storage, and electricity systems modernization.

• Canada’s intention to pursue membership in the International Solar Alliance and upgrade to full membership in the Global Biofuels Alliance.

Canada reaffirmed its target of producing 50 million tonnes of LNG annually by 2030, scaling to 100 million tonnes by 2040, positioning itself as a major Indo-Pacific energy supplier.

Talent, Education and Cultural Ties

Education and mobility form the “One Family” pillar of the partnership.

Leaders highlighted:

• 24 education-related MOUs.

• Expansion of the MITACS Globalink Research Internship program, enabling approximately 300 Indian students annually to undertake research placements in Canada.

• Over 85 Canadian graduate students participating in India under Canada’s Indo-Pacific Scholarships and Fellowships program.

• Revitalization of the Joint Working Group on Higher Education.

• A Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation covering arts, heritage, audiovisual media, music, and creative industries.

The joint statement underscores the importance of Canada’s 1.8 million residents of Indian origin as a cornerstone of bilateral ties.

AI, Space and Digital Innovation

Technology cooperation is structured around revitalizing institutional mechanisms such as the Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee.

Space agencies — the Canadian Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation — will pursue expanded collaboration in Earth observation, robotics, quantum communication technologies, and atmospheric sciences.

The two countries also agreed to:

• Explore AI integration in space and aerospace technologies.

• Collaborate on AI-assisted medical diagnostics for remote regions.

• Develop AI tools for electric grid management and battery storage optimization.

• Advance trilateral cooperation under the Australia–Canada–India Technology and Innovation Partnership.

The Canada-India relationship has created enormous opportunities for our workers and businesses.

Prime Minister Modi and I are building on that — to double our trade, drive massive new investment, and forge new partnerships in energy, talent, and AI. pic.twitter.com/vhP3FhU3v1

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) March 2, 2026

Security, Defence and Indo-Pacific Cooperation

The joint statement establishes two foundational layers: security/defence and trade.

On security, both countries agreed to deepen cooperation on counterterrorism, organized crime, narcotics trafficking, cybercrime, and immigration enforcement. A strengthened bilateral National Security Advisor dialogue will guide implementation.

On defence, leaders welcomed:

• A new Maritime Security Partnership.

• Institutionalizing an India–Canada Defence Dialogue.

• Canada’s appointment of a Defence Attaché to India.

Both sides reaffirmed commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific and expressed support for practical cooperation in maritime security, climate resilience, and regional infrastructure development.

India welcomed Canada’s interest in joining the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as a Dialogue Partner.

Advancing CEPA and Trade Architecture

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to concluding a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of 2026, following the signing of the Terms of Reference and the launch of formal negotiations.

The CEPA aims to expand bilateral trade to CAD $70 billion by 2030.

Additional trade and investment initiatives include:

• Reciprocal Ministerial-led trade missions in both countries.

• Reconstitution of the India–Canada CEO Forum.

• Launch of a Finance Ministers’ Economic and Financial Dialogue, including cooperation on payments modernization, fintech innovation, and cross-border remittances.

Economic and Global Implications

The joint statement frames India–Canada cooperation as central to strengthening economic resilience, supply chain security, clean energy transition, digital sovereignty, and Indo-Pacific stability.

Prime Minister Carney expressed appreciation for India’s hospitality and extended an invitation for Prime Minister Modi to visit Canada.

Both leaders affirmed that a strengthened India–Canada partnership will contribute to regional stability, global resilience, and long-term prosperity.

GTA Weekly will continue to monitor developments related to the India–Canada Strategic Partnership, CEPA negotiations, and energy and technology agreements as implementation moves forward.