'Trajectory And Ambition Totally Different': Canada's Carney Says He Wouldn't Call India 'Middle Power'

Last Updated:March 01, 2026, 11:54 IST

The remarks come as Carney focuses on resetting ties with the country, in a bid to dilute his country's fractured ties with the United States.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is on an official visit to India, said he wouldn’t call New Delhi a ‘middle power’. The remarks come as Carney focuses on resetting ties with the country, in a bid to dilute his country’s fractured ties with the United States.

During an interaction, the Canadian PM was asked if ‘middle powers’ like India and Canada resetting ties as part of a global resistance.

“Not to be too picky about the rhetoric, but I wouldn’t call India a ‘middle power’. I’m happy for Canada to be called a middle power. But India’s trajectory and ambition is totally different", he responded.

CANADA-INDIA TRADE DEAL 

During his visit to Mumbai, Mark Carney revealed Ottawa is in talks with New Delhi on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement aimed at doubling two-way trade by 2030.

Addressing the Canada-India Forum in Mumbai during his four-day visit, the Canadian PM said both countries should aim higher and be more strategic in their ties.

Calling India and Canada natural partners, he highlighted strong diaspora links between the two nations. Carney underlined renewed engagement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi across various sectors including security, energy and technology.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Prime Minister will reach Delhi today, March 1. On March 2, he will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House.

The two Prime Ministers will also attend the India–Canada CEOs Forum scheduled on 2 March.

Mark Carney’s visit to India is seen as an effort to restore diplomatic ties with India. The relations between India and Canada soured in 2023 after Ottawa had alleged New Delhi’s involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader.

In September 2023, Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau, said in Parliament that there were credible allegations about India’s link to the killing of Canadian Hareep Singh Nijjar.

New Delhi had denied the allegations, accusing the Trudeau administration of harbouring extremists.

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