TORONTO: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is embarking on a significant diplomatic journey to India, Australia, and Japan this week, with a focus on diversifying Canada’s trade relations and reducing dependency on the United States. Carney's first stop will be Mumbai, where he is scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various business leaders in hopes of strengthening trade ties.

This visit comes at a crucial time as relations between Canada and India have faced challenges, notably after Canadian authorities accused the Indian government of being involved in the June 2023 assassination of a Sikh activist in Vancouver. Despite these tensions, Carney emphasized the importance of trade with India, as last year, India ranked as Canada’s seventh-largest trading partner. “In a more uncertain world, Canada is focused on what we can control. We are diversifying our trade and attracting massive new investment,” Carney stated.

During his tour, Carney will also engage with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss advancements in defense and artificial intelligence, and will meet Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to explore clean energy and food security issues. With recent threats of U.S. tariffs, Carney has set a bold target to double Canada's non-U.S. exports within the next decade, countering what he describes as economic coercion from global powers.

Carney's initiatives are seen as vital for Canada to redefine its international trading landscape and foster stronger partnerships with key nations, like India, while navigating the complexities of current geopolitical tensions. This trip marks a critical juncture for Canada's foreign relations strategy as it seeks to establish more robust economic foundations across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.