Canada Strengthens Ties with India Amid Growing US Trade Tensions: PM Carney's Strategic Pivot

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has highlighted the "progress" between Canada and India while emphasizing his country's strategy to develop international partnerships amid growing trade tensions with the United States.

Speaking in New York, Carney's comments followed US President Donald Trump's recent announcement that he was terminating all trade negotiations with Canada, citing what he called their "egregious behavior."

During his address to reporters after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, Carney stressed the importance of developing new relationships globally, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. "There is no better place to do that than in the fastest growing part of the world that represents 60 percent of the global economy," he stated.

The Canadian Prime Minister specifically mentioned several diplomatic achievements, including a free trade agreement with Indonesia, ongoing discussions with the Philippines and Thailand, and what he described as a "turning point" in Canada's relationship with China.

Regarding India, Carney noted, "Progress which we have been making with India...So I didn't meet directly with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi here, (but), the foreign minister, other ministers have been meeting with India."

He emphasized Canada's strategy: "That's what we're doing to build our strength at home, first and foremost. Build these partnerships abroad, and reduce our reliance on the United States. It can't happen overnight, but we're moving very fast."

These statements come as Carney recently apologized to Trump regarding an anti-tariff advertisement released by Ontario. The controversy prompted Trump to declare an end to all trade negotiations with Canada, despite having hosted Carney at the White House just last month.

In a significant diplomatic development, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand visited India last month for discussions with Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar. During this visit, both nations unveiled an ambitious roadmap aimed at enhancing cooperation in trade, critical minerals, and energy sectors.

This diplomatic initiative represents part of ongoing efforts to rebuild bilateral relations that had deteriorated following the killing of a Sikh separatist in 2023.