Modi and Carney agree to pursue trade pact and deepen ties

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to intensify bilateral engagement and pursue a trade pact during a call on October 13, as the two governments work to rebuild ties and expand cooperation. Modi said the leaders would build on positive momentum and seek concrete results in trade, energy, technology, security and people-to-people relations. The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office said they reaffirmed their commitment to conclude negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) at the earliest opportunity and support efforts to double two-way trade by 2030. The agreement remains under negotiation. An Indian report cited officials expecting an announcement in mid-December during a planned visit by Modi to Canada. The Canadian government said the visit is expected in December, but did not confirm that an announcement will be made then. The call came as Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu were in New Delhi to advance shared priorities. A Team Canada trade mission led by Sidhu was also underway in India, according to the Canadian government.