Amid Trump Tariff Threat, Canadian PM Mark Carney Likely To Visit India In March

Last Updated:January 26, 2026, 17:29 IST

Canadian PM Mark Carney's India visit signals a high-stakes effort to pivot Ottawa's trade alliances away from its traditional over-reliance on the United States

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is making a strategic pivot towards “middle power" diplomacy and trade diversification amid threats of an imposition of 100 percent tariff from the Trump administration in the United States. 

Carney is expected to visit India in the first week of March, signalling a high-stakes effort to pivot Canada’s trade alliances away from its traditional over-reliance on the US, reported Reuters.

This diplomatic outreach comes at a time when Carney has explicitly declared that the “old rules-based order is over", calling for resilient coalitions to shape a fairer international landscape. The upcoming visit is poised to be a cornerstone of this diversification strategy, with Indian High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik confirming that the two countries are looking to sign a series of critical agreements.

“I have a feeling in the first week of March is what we are looking at," Patnaik told Reuters, even as the news agency said Carney’s office declined a comment about the upcoming visit.

Here’s all you need to know:

The critical deals Patnaik referred to are expected to span vital sectors, including nuclear energy, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence.A significant highlight of the trip may include a 10-year, C$2.8 billion uranium supply deal, provided India adheres to Energy Agency safeguards.Canada’s energy minister Tim Hodgson, who is currently visiting India, stressed on the strategic necessity of the partnership noting that India is a “major nuclear country" with extensive plans for civilian energy growth.Beyond energy, India and Canada are also prepared to restart formal negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed at protecting both nations from the “vagaries of the international order".

WHY IS CARNEY HEADED TO INDIA?

Diplomatic relations between Canada and India had taken a plunge in 2023 after Carney’s predecessor Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi of being involved in the killing of Sikh separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

But there has been a thaw since Carney took over the reins, who has since, made an attempt to reset relations with India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended the Group of 7 summit on his invitation last year and several of his ministers have travelled to India.

His urgency to diversify, however, stems from escalating tensions with the US. His recent engagement with China, which resulted in an agreement to lower tariffs on Canadian agricultural exports and canola, has drawn sharp rebukes from Washington.

Trump has threatened to impose a 100 percent tariff on all Canadian goods, accusing the Prime Minister of attempting to turn Canada into a “drop off port" for Chinese products. Despite these threats, however, Ottawa has maintained that it is acting within its international commitments while seeking more “predictable" and “respectful" trade dialogues elsewhere.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR CARNEY’S ‘BUY CANADIAN’ CAMPAIGN?

In a direct response to external economic pressures and the looming threat of American tariffs, Carney has launched a robust “Buy Canadian" campaign.

This initiative is designed to strengthen the domestic economy by encouraging the nation to become its own “best customer".

“With our economy under threat from abroad, Canadians have made a choice: to focus on what we can control," Carney addressed the nation. “We’ll buy Canadian. We’ll build Canadian. Together we will build stronger."

This shift towards prioritising local businesses and national interests is seen as a protective measure to shield the Canadian social fabric and business landscape from the volatility of global trade disputes.

(With agency inputs)

News world Amid Trump Tariff Threat, Canadian PM Mark Carney Likely To Visit India In March

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