India–Canada Economic Diplomacy Gains New Energy: A Human-Centric Look at a Growing Partnership

The India Canada relationship entered a promising new phase as the Maninder Sidhu, Canada’s Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, visited India from 11 to 14 November 2025. Invited by India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, his visit brought warmth, optimism, and fresh momentum to India–Canada economic relations, signaling that both countries are ready to invest in a more resilient future.

This visit comes at an important time. Just months earlier, PM Modi and PM Mark Carney met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, reaffirming their shared desire for deeper partnerships. Their message was clear: the time has come to strengthen India–Canada trade and build new bridges for cooperation. That spirit was echoed again in October 2025, when the two Foreign Ministers released a joint statement titled “Renewing momentum towards a stronger partnership.”

Putting People at the Center: The 7th Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment

At the heart of the visit was the 7th Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment (MDTI). Far from being just a formal government meeting, MDTI served as a platform for genuine conversations about how India and Canada can create more opportunities for their people—workers, innovators, students, and entrepreneurs.

Both Ministers Sidhu and Goyal reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership through mutual respect, steady communication, and practical cooperation. They noted that despite global uncertainties, bilateral trade continues to grow at a healthy pace.

In 2024, India–Canada bilateral trade reached USD 23.66 billion, including USD 8.98 billion in goods—a remarkable 10% jump from the previous year. These numbers tell only part of the story. Behind them are thousands of businesses, countless jobs, and growing confidence in the potential of the partnership.

A Future Built on Shared Strengths and Innovation

During their discussions, both sides highlighted key sectors that will shape the next decade of India–Canada economic cooperation.

1. Critical Minerals: A Strategic Partnership

India’s growing demand for clean technologies and electric mobility aligns naturally with Canada’s strengths in critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Strengthening long-term supply chain partnerships in this area is vital for the global clean energy transition—and a major focus of India–Canada economic diplomacy.

2. Clean Energy and Climate Solutions

Canada reaffirmed its readiness to partner with India in clean energy cooperation, including LNG, carbon capture, renewable energy technologies, and hydrogen. These collaborations support not only emissions reduction but also long-term supply chain resilience.

3. Aerospace and Dual-Use Technologies

Both countries agreed to identify opportunities in aerospace collaboration, leveraging Canada’s technological expertise and India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector. Dual-use technologies and high-tech manufacturing were also identified as areas for deeper engagement.

Learning From Global Challenges: Building Stronger Supply Chains

Recent global disruptions served as a reminder that resilient supply chains are essential for economic stability. Both Ministers discussed how India and Canada can strengthen supply chain resilience across critical sectors—including agriculture, food security, minerals, and advanced manufacturing.

This shared focus is not only strategic but deeply practical. Stronger supply chains mean more stability for businesses, more jobs for workers, and more reliability for consumers in both countries.

Engaging With Industry Leaders: A Human Touch to Economic Diplomacy

Minister Sidhu’s visit was marked by direct engagement with business leaders. He met with the Bhartia Group, Tata Group, and HCL Technologies, exploring ways to deepen partnerships in digital innovation, technology, agriculture, and manufacturing.

He also held a roundtable with Canadian pension funds, Air Canada, and Canadian companies operating in India. These conversations were candid, forward-looking, and aimed at ensuring that the benefits of India–Canada investment partnership reach people on the ground.

At the CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam, Minister Sidhu spoke openly about the need for trade diversification and deeper engagement in the Indo-Pacific region—a region central to Canada’s long-term economic strategy.

Democratic Values as the Foundation of Partnership

The timing of the visit—close to India’s Constitution Day—highlighted a powerful message: strong democracies create strong economic partnerships. India’s commitment to rule of law, transparency, and a rules-based global order continues to make it a trusted partner for countries like Canada.

These values form the bedrock of India–Canada economic relations, ensuring predictability and trust for investors, businesses, and governments alike.

Looking Ahead: A Renewed Vision for Shared Prosperity

Both Ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress made during the visit and agreed to sustain the positive momentum. Minister Sidhu looks forward to welcoming Minister Goyal to Canada soon, as both countries prepare for the next phase of engagement.

With global trade flows shifting, new technologies emerging, and supply chains being reimagined, India and Canada are positioning themselves to not only navigate these changes but to shape them. Their shared commitment to open markets, innovation, sustainable development, and people-to-people ties gives them a strong foundation for success.

Conclusion: A Partnership Ready for the Future

Minister Maninder Sidhu’s visit to India has breathed new energy into India–Canada economic diplomacy. As both countries work to diversify trade, strengthen supply chains, and deepen ties in critical sectors, they are building a partnership that benefits not just governments or corporations—but ordinary people in both nations.

With a shared vision of growth, stability, and sustainability, India and Canada are well-positioned to become stronger partners in a rapidly changing global economy.