Prime Minister Mark Carney's Indian charm offensive continued over the weekend as he set aside any notion of bilateral bad blood and hailed the South Asian country as a "natural partner." In the past, Canadian trade negotiators worked to secure sectoral deals with India — favourable trade terms for certain products and industries. But Carney and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, are gunning for something much more ambitious this time — a full free trade deal — as they both stare down the seismic effects of U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. "Canada and India are natural partners," he told about 100 attendees gathered for a sit-down dinner at the Canada-India Growth and Investment Forum. WATCH | Carney pursues free trade in India, but controversy follows: Carney pursues free trade in India, but controversy follows | Duration 1:32:16 Prime Minister Mark Carney touches down in India as his government seeks progress on a free trade deal, but a senior official's comments about the end of Indian interference continue to cause controversy in Canada.

Source: CBC News March 01, 2026 19:45 UTC