He was addressing the Canada-India Forum in Mumbai. He is on a four-day visit to India.
“This is an enormous opportunity for both our countries.. but it is one that is about to move to the next level. We should aim much higher, and we are aiming much higher, and to be more strategic in our partnership. And that’s why, immediately after my election last year, our government set out to renew our relationship with India,” he was cited as saying by Indian media outlets.
PM Mark Carney during the Canada-India Forum in Mumbai said Canada is negotiating a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with India to double bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030.
It is expected to be signed by 2026 end.
Canada could also be India’s strategic partner in critical minerals and metals for the latter’s manufacturing, clean tech and nuclear industries, he noted.
As the visit’s focus is on core areas where both sides can work together to create more sovereignty, choice and prosperity, food and energy are the natural first choices, given Canada’s position as a food and energy superpower, Carney said.
It also extends to nuclear co-operation, from being the most reliable long-term supplier of uranium to building large-scale and small modular reactors, he said.
“We could also be India’s strategic partner in critical minerals and metals for your manufacturing, for your clean tech, and for your nuclear industries. And in the other respect, India can help us to double our grid with clean power by 2040,” he added.
India’s leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital economy aligns well with Canada’s mission to develop and commercialise those technologies to deepen its defence innovation, Carney asserted.
In a separate set of agreements, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar also exchanged several memoranda of understanding covering critical mineral cooperation, promotion of renewable energy use and cultural cooperation.
After India, Carney is scheduled to continue his tour with stops in Australia and Japan, according to the official itinerary released by his government.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
