Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to embark on his Mark Carney India visit in the first week of March 2026, aiming to sign agreements on uranium, energy and artificial intelligence, according to India’s High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik. This comes as Ottawa intensifies efforts to diversify trade amid U.S. tariff threats.

Ottawa, 27 January 2026 – Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney will likely undertake the Mark Carney India visit during the first week of March 2026, where he is set to ink multiple pacts including a 10-year C$2.8 billion uranium supply agreement, India’s High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik stated in an interview. The visit aligns with the launch of formal Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations between the two nations.

The Mark Carney India visit signals a renewed push in bilateral relations, particularly as Canada seeks to reduce reliance on the United States for trade. This development holds significance for South Asia, where India’s growing economy could benefit from enhanced access to Canadian resources like uranium and critical minerals, fostering energy security and technological collaboration amid global uncertainties.

Canada India Trade Deal Takes Centre Stage

Formal talks on the Canada India trade deal, known as the CEPA Canada India, are slated to commence in March 2026, Patnaik indicated. The terms of reference for these negotiations are expected to be finalised in February 2026. This follows the agreement reached during a meeting between Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 23 November 2025, at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, where both leaders committed to launching the CEPA Canada India to bolster economic ties.

The Canada India trade deal aims to more than double bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion by 2030, as outlined in official readouts. This target reflects the ambition to expand cooperation in goods, services, investment, agriculture, digital trade and sustainable development. Current bilateral trade stands at approximately CAD 15 billion annually.

Details Emerge on Canada India Uranium Deal

A key highlight of the Mark Carney India visit will be the Canada India uranium deal, potentially valued at C$2.8 billion over 10 years. Patnaik highlighted that Canada would supply uranium under the existing Canada-India nuclear cooperation agreement, provided India adheres to International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.

Canada’s Energy Minister Tim Hodgson, currently visiting India, confirmed discussions on nuclear energy expansion. “We know that India is a major nuclear country and it has major plans to grow its civilian use of nuclear energy,” Hodgson said. The Canada India uranium deal underscores India’s push for clean energy sources to meet its growing power demands, with nuclear capacity targeted to triple by 2030.

Beyond uranium, agreements during the Mark Carney India visit will cover oil and gas, the environment, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Patnaik noted that pacts on critical minerals and liquefied natural gas transactions would be prominent, positioning Canada as a supplier to India’s burgeoning market.

Overcoming Past Tensions in Bilateral Relations

The Mark Carney India visit builds on efforts to reset ties strained by allegations in 2023, when former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. India denied the claims, and relations cooled temporarily.

Progress has been made since, with high commissioners returning in August 2025 and enhanced law enforcement dialogue. Patnaik mentioned an ongoing court case in Canada involving four accused in the murder. “If evidence comes out that there were Indians involved, India will take action,” he said. Additionally, India’s National Security Advisor is scheduled to visit Ottawa in February 2026 for intelligence exchanges and security discussions.

This thaw has facilitated ministerial visits, including Hodgson’s current trip and potential visits by Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Canada soon. The CEPA Canada India negotiations represent a concrete step forward, with Patnaik expressing optimism for a signed agreement within a year of formal talks starting.

Broader Context of Canada’s Trade Pivot

Carney’s administration is actively diversifying trade partnerships beyond the U.S., especially after U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of 100% tariffs on Canadian goods if Ottawa pursued deals with China. Carney responded by affirming Canada’s commitment to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which restricts free trade pacts with non-market economies.

In this context, the Canada India trade deal and Mark Carney India visit are strategic moves. Patnaik echoed Carney’s Davos speech, where the Canadian leader called for middle powers to build coalitions in a disrupted global order. “Now we are living in a world where the natural rules-based order which gave a certainty to the world is not functioning,” Patnaik said. The agreements aim to shield both nations from international trade volatilities.

For South Asia, this pivot could enhance regional stability by promoting economic interdependence. India’s role as a growing user of critical minerals aligns with Canada’s export strengths, potentially creating supply chains that benefit neighbouring countries through spillover effects in technology and energy.

Background

Canada and India share longstanding ties, with diplomatic relations established in 1947. Trade has grown steadily, but stalled in 2023 due to the Nijjar incident. Resumption began in 2025, with Modi attending the G7 Summit on Carney’s invitation and foreign ministers announcing a roadmap for engagement in October 2025.

The nuclear cooperation agreement, signed in 2010, paved the way for uranium exports, with the first shipment in 2015. Current efforts under the CEPA Canada India build on early harvest agreements considered in prior talks. Public consultations in Canada ran from 13 December 2025 to 27 January 2026, gathering input on the potential bilateral trade pact.

What’s Next

Looking ahead, the Mark Carney India visit could culminate in announcements on energy and mining pacts between Hodgson’s current engagements and March. With CEPA Canada India talks advancing, both sides aim for rapid progress to finalise the Canada India trade deal. India’s AI Impact Summit in February 2026 may see Canadian participation, further strengthening ties in emerging technologies.

The Mark Carney India visit marks a pivotal moment, potentially unlocking new avenues in the Canada India uranium deal and broader economic collaboration.

Published in SouthAsianDesk, January 27th, 2026

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