Recent relations between India and Canada have improved considerably and are now moving in a positive direction.

In a recent interview with the Financial Post, India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, expressed his optimism about the current state of bilateral relations between the two countries. He stated that the ties are "extremely good" and have been put "back on track," thanks to the efforts of both governments. Patnaik highlighted the positive momentum that has been building since Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 summit in Kananaskis. He noted that there have been several high-level visits between the two countries, including those by foreign, trade, and energy ministers, as well as parliamentary and sectoral delegations. These meetings have covered a wide range of topics, including national security, law enforcement, mining, energy, education, and artificial intelligence. The High Commissioner described the current state of the relationship as "back on track, not just back on track, it's going very strongly." He also shared that a high-level visit from Canada is expected soon, which will further strengthen the relationship between the two countries. On the topic of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Patnaik expressed his belief that negotiations could begin in a matter of weeks and be concluded swiftly. He mentioned that both prime ministers had agreed to launch negotiations at the G20 in Johannesburg and that Canada has issued a 90-day notice to Parliament. He expects negotiations to start at the end of February or the beginning of March. The High Commissioner acknowledged that economic realities have changed significantly since previous free trade talks between the two countries. He pointed out that India is now the 4th largest economy in the world and soon to be the 3rd, highlighting the country's evolving global position. Patnaik also mentioned India's recent trade deals with various countries, including the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. He stated that India has made progress in areas where they previously held back. Addressing concerns about differing values between the two countries, Patnaik made it clear that both India and Canada share similar democratic values, including the rule of law, freedom of the press, and a market economy. He also emphasized the importance of working together on multilateral platforms, such as the UN, G7, and G20. When discussing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, Patnaik stressed the importance of making it easier for both countries to work together in all sectors. This includes lower tariffs, fewer non-tariff barriers, improved logistics, and increased cooperation in areas such as investment, research, artificial intelligence, mining, energy, defense, and aerospace. He compared the agreement to a marriage, where both parties work together to address any issues and make it easier for both sides to cooperate. He also highlighted the importance of institutional links, such as parliamentary exchanges and civil society engagement, in complementing any trade pact. Despite some tensions in recent years, particularly around security-related allegations, Patnaik reassured that the people-to-people relations between India and Canada have remained strong. He shared that trade, financial institutions, academic institutions, and other areas of cooperation have continued to thrive, showcasing the deep ties between the two countries. In conclusion, India and Canada have a long history of shared educational, trade, and diaspora ties, and both governments have expressed a desire to stabilize and rebuild the partnership. As the leading English daily in Odisha, Orissa POST is committed to providing accurate and timely news coverage on this important relationship.