Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada. The meeting was the first face-to-face interaction between the two leaders since Mr. Carney assumed office following Canada's recent general elections.
The discussion provided an opportunity for both sides to engage in frank and forward-looking conversations about the state of India-Canada relations and the way ahead. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and respect for the rule of law, which form the foundation of their shared democratic values.
Both leaders emphasized the need for a constructive and balanced partnership grounded in mutual respect for concerns and sensitivities, as well as strong people-to-people ties. They agreed to take calibrated and constructive steps to restore stability in the relationship, starting with the early return of High Commissioners to each other's capitals.
The discussion also covered various areas where India and Canada can collaborate, including clean energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, LNG, food security, critical minerals, higher education, mobility, and supply chain resilience. The leaders expressed their shared interest in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific and agreed to restart senior ministerial engagements across various domains.
Mr. Modi and Mr. Carney also discussed the importance of restarting negotiations on the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA), with a view to paving the way for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). They tasked their respective officials to engage further in this regard.
Both leaders acknowledged the progress made at the G7 Summit and expressed their willingness to work constructively together on global priorities such as climate action, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. They also highlighted the deep people-to-people connections between the two countries, which they agreed to leverage for mutual benefit.
The meeting concluded with both leaders agreeing to stay in touch and look forward to meeting each other again at the earliest opportunity.