The goal of the talks between External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, in New Delhi was to “restore and reinvigorate” the structures required to further bilateral cooperation. An ambitious strategy for collaboration between India and Canada was agreed upon by the two leaders. According to a joint statement issued after their discussions, both sides agreed on a “New Roadmap” for India-Canada relations on the basis of mutual respect for shared democratic values, the rule of law, and a commitment to upholding the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is in line with the priorities that the prime ministers of India and Canada had set out for igniting the relationship.
The Ministers acknowledged that a robust and resilient India-Canada bilateral relationship is crucial given the persistent global economic uncertainty and escalating geopolitical tensions. Both ministers were pleased with the rise in bilateral commerce, which hit USD 23.66 billion in 2024, and the growing number of Indian and Canadian businesses operating in each other’s markets, creating jobs with substantial room for expansion. The two leaders also recognized the key role Indian states and Canadian provinces—six of which still have representation in India—play in promoting profitable economic collaboration.
India and Canada have agreed to collaborate on climate action, environmental protection, and conservation. They will exchange information and expertise, support climate ambitions in renewable energy capacity, decarbonising heavy industries, reducing plastic pollution, and sustainable consumption. They will deepen collaboration in Science and Technology (S&T) and education, tourism, cultural exchange, and professional mobility. Initiatives include renewed collaboration in higher education and research, research partnerships in emerging technologies, and expanded Canadian academic presence in India. They also pledge to expand collaboration on global issues.
