Mark Carney India Visit 2026: Canada Unveils Indo-Pacific Push

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Mark Carney India visit headlines major trade and security tour across India, Australia and Japan

By TRH Foreign Affairs Desk

New Delhi, February 23, 2026 — In a significant geopolitical and economic move, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to India, Australia and Japan from February 26 to March 7, 2026, aiming to diversify Canada’s trade and attract major new international investment.

The multi-nation visit comes amid global economic uncertainty, with Ottawa positioning the Indo-Pacific as central to Canada’s long-term prosperity and security strategy.

“In a more uncertain world, Canada is focused on what we can control,” Carney said. “We are diversifying our trade and attracting massive new investment to create new opportunities for our workers and businesses.”

India First Stop: Resetting Canada-India Ties

Carney will begin in Mumbai before holding high-level talks in New Delhi with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India, now the world’s fastest-growing major economy, is Canada’s seventh-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $30.8 billion in 2024.

Talks are expected to focus on: Advancing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA); Expanding cooperation in energy and critical minerals; Artificial intelligence and advanced technology partnerships; Defence collaboration; and Talent mobility and cultural exchange.

Both countries had previously agreed at the G20 Leaders’ Summit to formally launch CEPA negotiations, targeting $70 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.

Carney will also meet Indian business leaders to promote Canada as a destination for investment, particularly in clean energy and advanced manufacturing.

Australia: Defence, Minerals and Parliament Address

The Prime Minister will then travel to Sydney and Canberra for meetings with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The visit is expected to deepen cooperation on: Maritime security and Indo-Pacific defence; Critical minerals supply chains; Artificial intelligence and advanced technologies; and Two-way investment growth.

In a symbolic milestone, Carney will address both Houses of Australia’s Parliament — the first such address by a Canadian Prime Minister in nearly two decades.

Canada and Australia recorded $6.1 billion in merchandise trade in 2024, while Canadian direct investment in Australia stood at $58.8 billion.

Japan: Clean Energy and Strategic Security

In Tokyo, Carney will meet Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to strengthen economic and security cooperation. Japan, the world’s fourth-largest economy, is a key commercial partner for Canada, with bilateral trade valued at $36.4 billion annually.

Discussions will focus on: Clean energy partnerships; Advanced manufacturing; Critical minerals collaboration; Food security; and Indo-Pacific defence coordination.

The leaders are also expected to reaffirm support for a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” amid growing regional strategic competition.

Strategic Context: Diversifying Beyond Traditional Markets

The trip signals Ottawa’s accelerated push to reduce overreliance on traditional trade corridors and build resilient supply chains.

Last year, Canada, India and Australia entered a trilateral technology and innovation partnership to collaborate on emerging technologies and secure supply chains.

Officials say Canada’s strengths — abundant energy, critical minerals and technology expertise — position it as a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific growth story.

With geopolitical tensions rising and global supply chains under strain, the Mark Carney India visit and broader Indo-Pacific tour represent one of the most consequential foreign policy initiatives of his tenure so far.

The success of the mission will likely be measured by concrete trade deals, investment commitments and progress on long-stalled economic agreements.