Toronto: Canada and India are taking firm steps to rebuild their economic ties, with both countries preparing to restart formal trade negotiations after two years of strained relations.

Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand said Ottawa wants to move fast on the discussions, calling India a key partner in Canada’s plan to expand trade beyond the United States. She explained that Canada aims to double its non US trade in the coming decade and will rely on stronger partnerships in Asia to reach that goal.

Ties between the two nations weakened after Canada accused India of involvement in the 2023 killing of a Sikh activist in British Columbia, an allegation India strongly denied. High level meetings were paused and trade talks were put on hold. In recent months, however, both sides have worked to calm tensions and reopen channels for cooperation.

The revived talks will focus on a wide economic partnership covering goods, services, investment, agriculture, digital trade and labour mobility. Officials are also discussing a major long term uranium supply agreement, which could be worth nearly 2.8 billion dollars and support India’s growing energy needs.

India and Canada have set ambitious targets for the future. India is pushing for fifty billion dollars in bilateral trade by 2030, while Canada has signalled an even higher goal of seventy billion dollars. Trade between the two countries currently stands at around twenty two billion dollars.

Analysts say both governments see a fresh opportunity. Canada is looking to reduce its dependence on the US market, while India is seeking new partners to support its economic expansion. Despite some remaining political concerns, the tone between the two sides has shifted, and officials describe the new trade push as a practical step to reset the relationship.

Talks are expected to continue in the coming weeks as negotiators prepare a detailed plan for cooperation.