New Delhi, March 2, 2026: The visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to India concluded with a sweeping set of outcomes aimed at resetting and strengthening bilateral ties. A total of 17 key agreements and announcements were unveiled, spanning trade negotiations, nuclear energy cooperation, critical minerals, renewable energy, higher education, defence dialogue and cultural exchanges.
CEPA Negotiations Formally Launched
A major breakthrough was the finalization of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for launching negotiations on the India–Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The framework sets modalities and timelines for talks covering trade in goods, services and other policy areas.
Once concluded, the CEPA is expected to significantly expand economic engagement and accelerate progress toward achieving the bilateral trade target of USD 50 billion by 2030.
Trilateral Tech Cooperation with Australia
India, Canada and Australia signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding under the Australia–Canada–India Technology and Innovation Partnership. The initiative will focus on emerging technologies and innovation-led collaboration across strategic sectors.
Pulse Protein Centre at NIFTEM-K
A Declaration of Intent was signed to establish a Joint Pulse Protein Centre of Excellence at the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM-K), Kundli.
The centre will strengthen food processing capabilities, promote nutrition-sensitive food systems and support advanced protein extraction. The initiative aims to address micronutrient deficiencies through fortified pulse-based products.
Long-Term Nuclear Fuel Contract
A commercial contract was concluded between India’s Department of Atomic Energy and Cameco, Canada, for the long-term supply of uranium ore concentrates.
The agreement marks a significant step toward expanding India’s nuclear power capacity under the Viksit Bharat vision, which aims to achieve 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047.
Boost to Student Mobility
An MoU between the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Mitacs, Canada, will provide fully funded Globalink Research Internships for up to 300 eligible Indian students annually for three years beginning 2027.
Students will undertake 12-week research placements in Canadian academic institutions across disciplines including science, engineering, mathematics, humanities and social sciences.
Critical Minerals and Renewable Energy
India and Canada signed an MoU on Critical Minerals Cooperation to build secure and resilient supply chains. The agreement encourages investment, project identification and technical exchange in exploration, mining, beneficiation and processing.
A separate MoU on Renewable Energy promotes bilateral collaboration in solar, wind, biomass, bio-energy and energy storage. Both sides will exchange best practices and strengthen capacity building in clean energy technologies.
Cultural and People-to-People Engagement
An MoU on Cultural Cooperation aims to deepen people-to-people ties through performing arts, visual arts, creative industries and knowledge development projects.
Canada will also participate in Bharat Tribes Fest 2026, scheduled in New Delhi from March 17 to 30, reflecting expanding cultural engagement.
Institutional and Strategic Announcements
Among major announcements, 24 MoUs and partnerships were signed between universities and institutions in areas such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, agriculture and innovation.
Canada announced its decision to join the Global Biofuels Alliance and the International Solar Alliance, strengthening clean energy collaboration.
India expressed support for Canada’s participation in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as a Dialogue Partner.
The two countries will reconstitute the India–Canada CEO Forum to enhance private-sector engagement. A new India–Canada Parliament Friendship Group will also be established to promote legislative exchanges.
Additionally, both sides agreed to establish an India–Canada Defence Dialogue and welcomed the launch of a new Canada–India Joint Talent and Innovation Strategy by Universities Canada.
Strategic Reset in Motion
The outcomes of the Prime Ministerial visit signal a calibrated normalization of relations and a forward-looking partnership built on trade expansion, clean energy cooperation and institutional connectivity.
Officials indicated that follow-up mechanisms will be activated to ensure timely implementation of agreements and sustained high-level engagement between the two democracies.
