Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is arriving in Mumbai at 3:15 pm on Friday, launching his first official visit to India since taking charge. The trip, scheduled from February 27 to March 2, is being seen as a crucial moment in India-Canada relations.
The visit comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and officials say both countries are keen to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and strategic sectors.
Mumbai Meetings to Drive Economic Push
Carney will spend the first two days in Mumbai, India’s financial capital. His schedule includes meetings with leading CEOs, business executives, technology innovators, education leaders and representatives of Canadian pension funds operating in India.
The focus in Mumbai will largely be economic. Talks are expected to cover expanding bilateral trade, boosting long-term investments and exploring collaboration in clean energy and infrastructure. Canadian institutional investors are showing growing interest in India’s fast-expanding economy, especially in renewable energy and transport projects.
Diplomatic sources say beginning the tour in Mumbai sends a strong message that business ties will be the foundation of the renewed partnership.
Delhi Talks at Hyderabad House
On March 1, Carney will travel to New Delhi for the political and diplomatic leg of his visit. On March 2, delegation-level discussions between the two prime ministers will take place at Hyderabad House, the traditional venue for high-level bilateral meetings.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the talks will cover trade expansion, energy cooperation, critical minerals supply chains, agriculture partnerships, higher education exchanges and research collaboration.
Both leaders are also expected to discuss global developments and regional security concerns, underlining the wider geopolitical importance of the relationship.
CEOs Forum and Strategic Reset
The two prime ministers will jointly participate in the India-Canada CEOs Forum, aimed at aligning government policy with private sector opportunities. Business leaders from both sides are expected to present proposals to increase cross-border investments and remove trade barriers.
Officials describe the visit as an attempt to give fresh momentum to the India-Canada Strategic Partnership. With strong economic discussions in Mumbai and high-level diplomatic talks in Delhi, Carney’s trip could mark the beginning of a more focused and pragmatic phase in bilateral relations.
