Canada government: PM Carney will travel to India, Australia, and Japan from February 26th to March 7th, 2026

Canada government: PM Carney will travel to India, Australia, and Japan from February 26th to March 7th, 2026

Canada’s PM Carney to Strengthen Trade Ties in Key Indo-Pacific Trip

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a strategic international trip from February 26 to March 7, 2026, to India, Australia, and Japan, aiming to diversify Canada’s trade relationships and attract foreign investment in a shifting global economy. The itinerary aligns with Canada’s focus on strengthening economic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, a priority for the Carney government since assuming office in March 2025.

India: Broadening Bilateral Cooperation
The visit to India, Carney’s first bilateral trip to the country since 2015, will focus on advancing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations, launched at the G20 in November 2025. Key sectors under discussion include energy (nuclear, oil, gas, and critical minerals), technology (AI and innovation), defense, and agri-foods. India, Canada’s seventh-largest trading partner in 2024 ($30.8 billion in two-way trade), is a critical target for expanding Canadian exports and investment.

Australia: Deepening Strategic and Economic Ties
In Australia, Carney will address both Houses of Parliament—a first for a Canadian leader in nearly two decades—and engage with business leaders to enhance collaboration on critical minerals, defense, and advanced technologies. Bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Australia reached $6.1 billion in 2024, with Canadian direct investment in Australia totaling $58.8 billion.

Japan: Strengthening Economic and Security Partnerships
The trip concludes in Japan, where discussions will center on clean energy, advanced manufacturing, food security, and regional security. Canada-Japan bilateral trade stood at $36.4 billion annually in 2024, reflecting Japan’s role as a key economic partner.

Economic Implications
The trip underscores Canada’s strategy to reduce reliance on traditional trade routes and build resilience amid global uncertainties. By prioritizing sectors like critical minerals, AI, and defense, Carney aims to position Canada as a competitive player in the Indo-Pacific, aligning with broader efforts to double Canada-India trade to $70 billion by 2030.

This high-level engagement signals Canada’s commitment to leveraging its resources and expertise to foster economic growth and geopolitical stability in the region.