Prashant Srivastava Elected As The New President of ICCC: Exclusive Interview With Economic Diplomacy IN

Mr. Prashant Srivastava - President ICCC

Toronto, 24th, November, 2025 

Prashant Srivastava, who recently assumed the presidency of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC), says his top priority is rebuilding trust and continuity in business engagement between India and Canada. Speaking in an exclusive interview with economicdiplomacy.in, Prashant noted that recent high-level visits including Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Canada for the G7, Foreign Minister Anita Anand’s visit to India, EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar’s participation in the G7, and Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu’s visit to India and meeting with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal are all positive GOV-to-GOV signals. 

The appointment of new ambassadors have created fresh momentum for economic dialogue, paving the way for stronger commercial ties. 

As the first step, he plans to reactivate ICCC’s sectoral committees on International Trade, SMEs, Startups, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence to keep the business connection strong regardless of political fluctuations. 

Speaking on his election, Srivastava said:

“My immediate priority will be to support the rebuilding of confidence, ensure the continuation of bilateral engagement, and reaffirm the ICCC’s role as a trusted and neutral bridge for economic cooperation,”. 

Recognizing the unique role of diaspora-led chambers in “soft diplomacy,” he highlighted the nearly 2.9 million-strong Indian community in Canada (including over 427,000 students) as a key asset. This vibrant diaspora not only enriches both societies but also serves as a natural bridge for innovation and collaboration. 

“Diaspora institutions like the ICCC operate at the intersection of business, culture, and people-to-people engagement. This position gives us a distinct advantage as bridge-builders,” he said. 

To leverage this strength, he outlined several initiatives to ease tensions and foster trust:

• Facilitating depoliticized, business-focused dialogue: Convening industry leaders, investors, and policymakers in neutral settings to shift the narrative toward solutions and opportunities.

• Strengthening people-to-people ties: Engaging the Indo-Canadian community through outreach, cultural programs, and SME support to restore trust and continuity during periods of diplomatic uncertainty.

• Highlighting success stories: Showcasing positive examples of trade, investment, and innovation to counter negative perceptions and underscore the resilience of the economic partnership.

• Serving as a neutral interlocutor: Leveraging ICCC’s institutional neutrality to create safe spaces for dialogue where both sides feel heard and respected, without the pressures of formal government negotiations.

• Mobilizing diaspora expertise: Tapping the Indo-Canadian community’s leadership in business, academia, and technology to inform the dialogue and generate practical solutions.

Looking ahead, Srivastava identified key opportunity sectors as global supply chains evolve. He sees India’s booming digital economy and Canada’s strong AI research hubs as ripe for collaboration. 

Canadian firms can partner with Indian IT and engineering talent to scale innovations in fintech, healthtech, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence; conversely, Indian tech companies can leverage Canadian expertise (in Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton) to create North American innovation centers.

He said, Climate adaptation and water technologies which are the areas of Canadian strength are increasingly prioritized in India’s decarbonization agenda.

Similarly, Canada’s growing critical minerals sector (lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite) offers long-term joint-venture opportunities for Indian battery and energy firms.

Upon being asked, 

“With global supply chains being reconfigured, particularly in technology and clean energy, where do you see the biggest opportunities for Canadian companies in India and Indian businesses in Canada in the next 2–3 years?”

He stated that the potential collaborations include Agritech & Food Security and Education & Talent Mobility. He noted that India’s demand for modern farming technologies like precision agriculture, cold-chain logistics and sustainable food systems creates openings for Canadian agritech companies.

Conversely, Indian producers can partner with Canadian firms in food processing (pulses, organics, plant-based proteins) to serve global markets. With more than 427,000 Indian students in Canada, he also plans to strengthen academic partnerships, micro-credential programs, and student-to-workforce pathways, reflecting his view that “education is one of the most strategic and resilient pillars of India–Canada relations, and it continues to be a major contributor to both economies.” 

Srivastava pointed to India’s “Make in India” initiative as another opportunity, inviting Canadian aerospace, automotive, and engineering firms to participate in Indian supply chains, while encouraging Indian manufacturers to use Canada as a strategic base to access the U.S. and North American markets.

When asked how is he envisioning his legacy as the President of ICCC, he greeted us with a smile, and responded.

Prashant Srivastava With Outgoing President of ICCC - Chirag Shah

He extended his sincere appreciation to the outgoing President - Chirag Shah for his dedication and contributions. 

Honoring the legacy of ICCC’s past presidents who built bridges between India and Canada in both stable and challenging times – he said he is inspired by their resilience, entrepreneurial mindset and community spirit. Coming from an international education background, he brings a complementary perspective focused on talent and innovation. 

“In many ways, my different background is not a limitation, it’s an opportunity to broaden the Chamber’s reach and help shape a modern, holistic Indo-Canada economic relationship,” he said. 

He aims to ensure the ICCC remains neutral, professional, and forward-looking, giving a voice to SMEs, youth entrepreneurs, newcomers and underrepresented groups.

Prashant also announced a slate of reforms to modernize the Chamber and broaden its impact:

• Building a Nationwide Network: Expanding ICCC’s presence across Canada by establishing regional chapters and partnering with trade bodies like CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM and Canadian provincial trade agencies, to represent businesses beyond major urban centers.

• Revitalizing Core Committees: Reactivating sectoral committees (International Trade, SMEs, Startups, Technology & AI, Clean Energy) to drive research, engagement and actionable policy insights for members.

• ICCC SME & Startup Accelerator: Launching a program that provides mentorship, market-entry support, pitch events and curated B2B matchmaking, helping small businesses scale with confidence.

• Talent, Skills & Mobility Task Force: Creating a task force focused on smoother talent mobility, enhanced student-to-workforce pathways, and partnerships between Canadian and Indian institutions to bridge skill gaps.

• Policy Advocacy & Research: Strengthening the chamber’s role in policy discussions by producing sector reports, white papers, and recommendations on trade facilitation, visas, investment environments and innovation to influence decision-makers.

• Digital Transformation & Governance: Modernizing ICCC operations with improved digital platforms, membership services and transparent governance to increase efficiency and member trust.

• Next-Gen ICCC: Launching a platform for young professionals and emerging leaders to engage with the chamber, ensuring the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs has a seat at the table.

  
  

Through these initiatives, Srivastava said he intends to make the ICCC more agile, inclusive and strategically important for both nations. He is optimistic that, by focusing on collaboration and shared prosperity, the chamber can help lead India and Canada into a new era of partnership. 

“If we stay focused on professionalism, neutrality, and economic value creation, we can help both countries navigate challenges while keeping a long-term partnership intact,” he affirmed.

Economic Context: India-Canada Trade Snapshot

• India is the world’s 5th-largest economy and Canada’s 7th-largest trading partner (2024 two-way trade: C$30.9 billion).

• Canada sees India as a key partner in its Indo-Pacific strategy, targeting collaboration in agriculture, clean technology, digital industries, and infrastructure.

• Top Canadian exports to India include vegetables, mineral fuels/oils, wood pulp, fertilizers, and paper products; top imports from India include pharmaceuticals, machinery, electronics, precious stones/metals, and iron/steel.

• Canadian investments support about 50,000 jobs in India, while Indian companies support roughly 36,000 jobs in Canada.

• 2.4 Million STEM graduates come out of India

About Indo-Canada Chamber Of Commerce (ICCC): 

The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting bilateral trade, investment and cultural exchange between India and Canada. Through events, business delegations and policy advocacy, the ICCC serves as a trusted bridge connecting governments, industry leaders and the Indo-Canadian community.