Modi expected to visit Canada around December: Carney
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada around December this year, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said, as Ottawa and New Delhi make progress in negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Carney made the remarks while responding to questions on Modi's proposed visit and the progress of the trade negotiations at a press conference on Tuesday on the sidelines of the high-level UN General Assembly session.
"We are making good progress in our trade negotiations with India. It is an exceptionally important relationship on many, many levels, people-to-people levels, security levels, and also trade and economic," Carney said.
He said the two leaders had committed at the G20 last year to look to conclude the negotiations by the G20 summit this year.
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to host the G20 Summit on December 14-15 at the Trump National Doral Miami resort in Doral, Florida.
"I believe that India just confirmed that the Prime Minister will be visiting Canada around that time. The precise date isn't out, but I very much look forward to hosting him," Carney said.
The Canadian prime minister had invited Modi to visit Canada during his March visit to India. The two leaders subsequently met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France in June and reaffirmed their commitment to concluding the CEPA negotiations in 2026.
Modi last visited Canada in June 2025 to attend the G7 Summit at Carney's invitation.
Carney became Canada's prime minister in March 2025 following the exit of Justin Trudeau from the top office.
India and Canada formally launched CEPA negotiations in 2026, with both sides setting a target of concluding the talks by the end of the year.
Bilateral trade in goods stood at USD 8.6 billion in 2024, with India exporting goods worth USD 4.2 billion to Canada and importing USD 4.4 billion.
Trade in services stood at USD 14.3 billion during the year, with India exporting services worth USD 2.5 billion and importing services worth USD 11.8 billion.
