Carney’s Indo-Pacific Tour to Expand Trade and Security Ties

Mark Carney will visit India, Australia and Japan from February 26 to March 7 in a major diplomatic push to expand trade, attract investment and strengthen strategic partnerships across the Indo-Pacific. According to the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office, Carney will hold bilateral meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The multi-nation tour underscores Canada’s efforts to diversify its economic relationships and reduce reliance on traditional markets amid growing global uncertainty.

Carney’s trip will begin in Mumbai before he travels to New Delhi for talks with Modi. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in trade, clean energy, artificial intelligence, talent mobility, culture and defence. He will also meet Indian business leaders to promote Canada as an investment destination and boost two-way commerce.

India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, was Canada’s seventh-largest trading partner in goods and services in 2024, with bilateral trade reaching $30.8 billion. Both countries agreed during last year’s G20 Leaders’ Summit to formally launch negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, targeting a rise in trade to $70 billion by 2030.

In Australia, Carney will visit Sydney and Canberra for talks with Albanese on defence collaboration, maritime security, critical minerals and advanced technologies. He will also address both Houses of Parliament — the first such speech by a Canadian prime minister in nearly 20 years — and engage investors. Merchandise trade between the two nations reached $6.1 billion in 2024.

The final stop in Tokyo will centre on clean energy, advanced manufacturing, food security and Indo-Pacific security cooperation, reinforcing Japan’s position as a key Canadian trade partner with annual trade valued at $36.4 billion.