India and Canada aim to conclude a free trade agreement by year end: PM Modi
During Canadian President Mark Carney's visit to India, the two countries signed several agreements. These include a 10-year nuclear energy agreement. They also aim to conclude a free trade agreement by the end of 2026.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also signed agreements in areas such as technology, critical minerals, space, defense, and education.
Carney said that the two countries have decided to conclude a free trade agreement by the end of 2026, a goal that has been in the works for several years. Both countries want to avoid strict US trade tariffs.
Mark Carney assumed the post of Prime Minister of Canada only last year.
Since then, relations between India and Canada have gradually improved. The Canadian government recently stated, "At present, India has no connection to violent crimes or threats in Canada."
Space Cooperation
The Leader's discussed the urgency and mutual benefit of strategic partnerships on space cooperation by respective agencies and private sectors. On the basis of trust built between the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will jointly pursue emerging opportunities.
Digital and AI Collaboration
Building upon space cooperation, India and Canada intend to explore joint initiatives to integrate AI into space and aerospace technologies. By co-developing these AI tools for space applications and earth observation, both countries will advance innovation and reinforce their technological sovereignty.
The Leaders agreed to explore collaboration on AI assisted tools to strengthen the diagnostic capabilities of distance medicine to deliver modern, reliable health care to the remote regions of both countries.
Cross-border work-integrated learning opportunities
Recognizing the value of industry and academia partnerships, both sides intend to establish a program of cross-border work-integrated learning opportunities that will enable Indian engineers and researchers to gain hands-on experience at Canada’s world class AI research institutes and Canadian engineers gaining exposure to India’s expertise in the large-scale deployment of digital public infrastructure ecosystem.
To translate this shared vision into concrete outcomes, the Leaders agreed to structure the renewed India–Canada Strategic Partnership around two foundational layers.