New Delhi, March 2 (UNI) Terming Canada as an important partner in the Indo-Pacific, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday the establishment of the India-Canada Defence Dialogue and welcomed Canada’s interest in becoming a dialogue partner in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
PM Modi said the Defence Dialogue will deepen maritime cooperation between the two countries. “We agree that terrorism, extremism, and radicalisation pose common and serious challenges not only to both countries but to all humanity. Our close cooperation against these is crucial for global peace and stability,” he said after talks with Canadian counterpart Mark Carney.
In a further boost to bilateral ties, PM Modi announced the creation of the India-Canada Pulse Protein Centre of Excellence in India. He highlighted that growing cooperation in defence and security reflects the maturity and deep mutual trust in the India-Canada relationship. Plans include enhancing Defence Industries, Maritime Domain Awareness, and Military Exchanges through the newly established Defence Dialogue.
On people-to-people connections, PM Modi emphasised that they remain the driving force of bilateral relations.Several new partnerships between Indian and Canadian universities in AI, healthcare, agriculture, and innovation were announced, along with agreements for Canadian universities to open campuses in India.
PM Narendra Modi said, “People-to-people ties are the driving force behind our relationship. Today, we have taken several important decisions to further strengthen them. New partnerships between several universities in AI, healthcare, agriculture, and innovation are being announced. We also agreed on Canadian universities opening campuses in India. Indigenous and tribal communities are an important part of our shared cultural heritage. An MoU was signed today between the two sides to enhance cultural exchange. ”
At Hyderabad House, the two Prime Ministers took stock of cooperation in key pillars of the partnership , trade and investment, energy, critical minerals, agriculture, education, research and innovation, and robust people-to-people ties anchored by a large and influential Indian diaspora in Canada.
These initiatives are expected to strengthen strategic, educational, and cultural links, marking a significant expansion of India-Canada cooperation across multiple domains.
The meeting underscores the “reset moment,” at an important juncture in the gradual normalisation of bilateral ties that had sharply deteriorated in 2023.
Carney, who assumed office in March last year, is on his first full-fledged bilateral visit to India. He arrived on Friday, signalling his intent to rebuild trust and double trade volumes as Canada seeks to recalibrate global partnerships amid strained relations with the United States.
