India and Canada on Friday jointly announced long-term partnerships in critical minerals, clean energy and new trade opportunities in the aerospace sector. This signalled a fresh phase in bilateral ties that had been strained during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s tenure.

The announcement came after the 7th Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment that took place in New Delhi from November 11 to 14.

Canada’s Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Maninder Sidhu, visited India at the invitation of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal for discussions meant to rebuild economic cooperation. The talks followed directions given by the two Prime Ministers during a meeting at the sidelines of G7 in Kananaskis and the joint foreign ministers' statement issued on October 13, which named trade as the anchor of future engagement.

The dialogue explored new areas of cooperation between the two countries. The ministers agreed to support long-term supply chain partnerships in critical minerals and expand cooperation in clean energy, recognising the importance of these sectors for energy transition and industrial growth. They also agreed to explore deeper engagement in aerospace and dual-use capabilities of using Canada’s existing presence in India, along with the fast-growing aviation sector in India.

The government said both sides reaffirmed the continuity of the economic partnership and stressed the need for steady dialogue and forward-looking initiatives. The joint statement said the ministers noted that bilateral trade in goods and services reached $ 23.66 billion in 2024, with merchandise trade growing at 10 per cent to almost $ 8.98 billion.

The Commerce Ministry said they highlighted the rise in two-way investment flows, which include strong Canadian institutional investment in India and the growing presence of Indian companies in Canada.

Goyal and Sidhu also discussed global supply chain disruptions and the need to strengthen resilience in strategic sectors, including agriculture. They underlined the importance of building diversified and dependable supply chains to support long-term economic stability.

The ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress of the talks and committed to providing a predictable investment environment. They said people-to-people ties remain central to the wider partnership.