India-Canada Cooperation

Syllabus: GS2/International Relations 

In News 

• India and Canada successfully concluded the second round of negotiations for the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in New Delhi.

India-Canada Cooperation Areas 

• Bilateral Mechanisms: Both sides have official-level dialogue mechanisms such as Ministerial level-Strategic, Trade and Energy dialogues; Foreign Office Consultations; Joint Committee Meeting on Environment and other sector specific joint working groups (JWGs).
• Security Cooperation:  There is engagement on counter terrorism issues particularly through the framework of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter Terrorism set up in 1997.
  • The security cooperation was enhanced with the Framework for Cooperation between India and Canada on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism signed in February, 2018.
• Civil Nuclear Cooperation:  A Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA) with Canada was signed in June 2010 and came into force in September 2013.
  • In 2015, the Department of Atomic Energy signed an agreement with M/s Cameco Inc., Canada, for the supply of Uranium Ore Concentrate to India during the 2015–2020 period.
• Energy Cooperation:   India and Canada began a ministerial-level Energy Dialogue in 2016, which was later expanded in 2018 to include cooperation in electricity, energy efficiency, and renewable energy during the visit of the then Canadian Prime Minister to India.
• Space:  ISRO and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) signed two MoUs in the field of exploration and utilisation of outer space in October 1996 and March 2003, under which two Implementing Arrangements regarding satellite tracking and space astronomy were signed.
  • They signed an MoU on Space Cooperation in Ottawa in 2015.
  • ANTRIX, the Commercial arm of ISRO, has launched several nanosatellites from Canada.
  • ISRO in its 100th Satellite PSLV launched in January 2018, also flew Canadian first LEO.
• Economic : In 2025 (January -September), total bilateral trade in goods stood at CAD 9.96 billion .
  • In 2025 (January – September), total bilateral trade in services amounted to CAD 14.15 billion (India’s exports: CAD 3.31 billion and India’s imports: CAD 10.84 billion).
  • Portfolio investments from Canada into India stand at more than CAD 100 billion.
  • India mainly exports pharmaceuticals, electronics, jewellery, gems, seafood, and engineering goods to Canada, while importing minerals, pulses, potash, wood pulp, scrap metals, and gemstones from Canada.
• Science and technology : India and Canada collaborate in science and technology through joint research in industrial R&D, Arctic and cold-climate studies, biotechnology applications in health, agriculture and waste management, and sustainable biofuels under Mission Innovation.
• Education : Education is a key pillar of India–Canada relations, driven by academic cooperation, research partnerships, and institutional exchanges.
  • Indian students form the largest international student group in Canada, and bilateral cooperation is supported through a 2018 Higher Education MoU and a Joint Working Group overseeing its implementation.
• People-to-People and Cultural Relations: Canada has a large Indian diaspora of about 1.8 million Indo-Canadians and 1 million non-resident Indians, concentrated in major cities and contributing significantly to society and the economy.
  • India–Canada cultural ties are strengthened through diaspora organisations, film co-production, commemorative stamps, academic chairs in Canadian universities, and regular cultural events, festivals, and Yoga celebrations.

Challenges

• Political tensions:  Allegations of Canadian tolerance towards Khalistan extremism have deeply strained ties.  
• Sovereignty concerns: India views Canadian domestic politics as interfering in its internal affairs.  
• Security issues: Terrorism and misinformation campaigns remain pressing threats.  
• Trust deficit: Diplomatic ruptures have created long bureaucratic memories, slowing reconciliation.  

Latest Developments

• India–Canada relations are being rebuilt through recent high-level engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, defence, energy, education, space, and technology. 
• At the G7 and G20 Summits in 2025, both sides agreed to restore diplomatic stability, resume official engagements, and begin negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to boost bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030.
• Recent talks have been constructive, covering key areas such as goods and services trade, intellectual property, rules of origin, and technical standards.
  • Both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement and agreed to continue negotiations in a cooperative spirit.

Conclusion and Way Ahead 

• India–Canada relations are economically strong but politically sensitive, with future progress depending on mutual respect, trust, and stronger institutional cooperation. 
• Both countries are encouraged to establish structured dialogue mechanisms to prevent disruptions, deepen counter-terrorism and intelligence sharing, advance CEPA trade negotiations, and expand education and cultural ties through scholarships and research partnerships. 
• They are also expected to enhance Indo-Pacific cooperation to strengthen supply chains and regional stability.

Source: PIB