India and Canada usher in friendly phase ahead of trade mission

India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh K. Patnaik, said the two countries have moved from a period of tension to a “very friendly” relationship. He made the remarks before Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s upcoming visit, which will bring a delegation of more than 100 Indian business leaders to meet Canadian industry groups, pension funds, banks and diaspora organisations.

Patnaik noted that bilateral trade now stands at roughly CAD 32 billion (about USD 25 billion) and the goal is to double that to around USD 50 billion by 2030‑31. Both governments are reviving security cooperation, including exchanges between national security advisers and police, to curb Khalistani extremist networks that Canada now treats as a domestic issue. The partnership is also set to expand in energy, critical minerals, agriculture, artificial intelligence, quantum research and defence.

The high commissioner said recent Canadian immigration policy changes have affected Indian nationals but affirmed there is no negative sentiment toward India. He highlighted Canada’s assistance, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s backing, in marginalising extremist elements that previously operated through economic activities such as weapons, drug and human‑trafficking.