Canadian prime minister begins three-nation Asia trip with India

NEW DELHI

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in India on Friday, beginning a three-nation trip to Asia with his first stop in the country.

Carney arrived in the country's financial hub, Mumbai, on his first official visit to India, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal wrote on the US social media company X.

“The visit marks a significant step in further strengthening India–Canada ties,” he said.

Jaiswal added, “The India–Canada partnership is anchored in shared democratic values, strong people-to-people ties, and expanding cooperation across diverse sectors.”

During his visit, he will meet with Indian and Canadian CEOs, industry and financial experts, among others, as bilateral trade between India and Canada hovers around $9 billion.

On March 2, he will hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, and the two leaders will review progress achieved to date across diverse areas, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said.

Relations between Ottawa and New Delhi deteriorated in 2023 after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of prominent Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, which India denied.

After his India trip, Carney will visit Australia and Japan next week on his second trip to Asia after visiting China last month.