Leaders pledge concrete steps in energy, tech and defence cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke on the phone on 13 October, expressing a common resolve to turn the upbeat atmosphere in Indo‑Canadian relations into measurable progress.

Modi’s post on X emphasized that the conversation was both warm and substantive, and that both sides will act decisively to strengthen cooperation in trade, renewable energy, emerging technologies, security and people‑to‑people links.

Canada’s High Commissioner Christopher Kuter, speaking before the call, praised the “robust partnership” that has reached its strongest phase. He highlighted the four meetings between the two leaders over the past year and the steady stream of ministerial engagements.

Recent interactions include a visit by Canada’s national security adviser, upcoming talks by Foreign Minister Anita Anand – her tenth meeting with India’s S. Jaishankar – and the imminent arrival of Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu with a record delegation of about 300 Canadian business representatives.

Sidhu’s group will spend a week in southern India, exploring opportunities in energy, migration and defence. Both countries expect another defence‑focused visit shortly, and are optimistic that a free‑trade agreement will be signed during Modi’s planned December visit to Canada, a deal whose negotiations started in March and are projected to conclude quickly.