NEW DELHI: India and Canada are looking to take their bilateral relationship to a “higher level”, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said after meeting Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.“Always a pleasure to meet FM @AnitaAnandMP of Canada #UNGA81 A productive discussion as we prepare to take the relationship to a higher level,” Jaishankar said in a post on X on Saturday.The meeting comes as New Delhi and Ottawa work to rebuild ties and advance negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The two sides have set a target of concluding the trade negotiations by the end of 2026.
Modi visit and trade deal in focus
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier this week that he expected Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Canada in December. He also said negotiations on the trade agreement were making “good progress”.“We are making good progress in our trade negotiations with India. It is an exceptionally important relationship on many many levels, people-to-people levels, security levels, and also trade and economic,” Carney said at a press conference on the sidelines of the UNGA.Carney was responding to questions about Modi’s possible visit and the timeline for the trade agreement. Canada had formally invited Modi to visit in 2026, with both governments agreeing to work through diplomatic channels to settle a mutually convenient date.The possible December visit could coincide with the G20 Summit in Miami, which US President Donald Trump is scheduled to host on December 14 and 15.
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India and Canada have been working to broaden cooperation beyond trade, including in energy, critical minerals, technology, defence and talent. The two countries have also agreed to work towards a stronger strategic partnership.
Jaishankar holds more bilateral meetings
Jaishankar also met Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia Gonzalez during the UNGA. After the meeting, he said, “Our energy ties are gaining momentum, besides other areas of bilateral cooperation. We also discussed current regional issues.”The meeting comes as India looks to diversify its energy supplies and strengthen relationships with oil-producing countries.Jaishankar also held talks with Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov and Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Alvarez on the sidelines of the UNGA.
