Modi and Carney advance India-Canada reset at G7 meeting in France

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney used their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian, France, to push forward a gradual reset in bilateral ties. The two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, information security and energy, while also discussing trade and supply-chain links. Carney invited Modi to visit Canada by the end of the year, signalling continued momentum in the relationship.

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According to a joint statement cited by India's foreign ministry, the leaders welcomed the progress made since Carney's visit to India in March 2026. They also noted the ongoing work toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with both sides reaffirming their aim of concluding negotiations in 2026. The statement said the two governments had reviewed developments in commercial arrangements relating to LNG, LPG and metallurgical coal.

The meeting also covered security cooperation, with the leaders agreeing to launch negotiations on a General Security of Information Agreement. They welcomed recent exchanges between defence institutions, including a visit by India's National Defence College to Canada. Both sides also pointed to recent meetings of the Joint Science and Technology Committee and the Consular Dialogue, suggesting a broader effort to rebuild institutional links.

The talks matter because India and Canada have been working to restore trust after a period of strain in the relationship. The latest engagement suggests both governments see value in separating practical cooperation on trade, energy and security from the political tensions that have affected ties. For Canada, closer economic links with India could support diversification in trade and energy partnerships.

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For India, the talks offer a route to deepen access to a major advanced economy and to keep negotiations on a trade pact moving. The summit meeting follows a series of high-level contacts that have helped shape the current thaw. The joint statement said the two prime ministers welcomed the positive momentum in relations and the progress since March, when Carney visited India.

It also noted the importance of resilient and reliable supply chains for global energy and food security, indicating that both sides are framing the relationship in wider economic terms rather than as a purely bilateral political issue. What remains unclear is how quickly the proposed agreements will move from discussion to formal negotiation and signature. The invitation for Modi to visit Canada later in the year adds a possible next milestone, alongside the planned Canadian trade mission to India.

The main points to watch are whether CEPA talks stay on track for 2026 and whether the new security and information-sharing discussions produce concrete agreements.

#India #Canada #diplomacy #trade #energy

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