India's view of the world · A factual referenceLast updated 12 May 2026 · Edition 04
COUNTRY RELATIONSHIP · CANADA
India & Canada
LARGE DIASPORAEDUCATION HUBTRADE PARTNERDIPLOMATIC TENSIONS
India and Canada share long-standing ties built on a large Indian diaspora, substantial student flows, and growing trade. The relationship, however, entered a severe crisis in September 2023 when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged — and Indian authorities denied — Indian government involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Diplomatic expulsions followed in 2023 and 2024. Despite institutional strains, the bilateral relationship remains substantial in people-to-people and commercial dimensions, with some 1.8 million persons of Indian origin and over 300,000 Indian students in Canada.
COOPERATION AREAS
Where India and Canada actually work together
5 active areas of cooperation, as of July 2026. Click any card for the full brief.
TRADE & INVESTMENT
By the numbers
Approximate figures for 2022-23. Trade has continued despite diplomatic tensions. Canada is a major supplier of pulses and potash to India.
~$8.5bn
Total bilateral trade in goods
~$4.2bn
India exports to country
~$4.3bn
India imports from country
Trade trajectory · USD bn
$8bnin 2023 · click a bar to compare years
TOP TRADED ITEMS
AGREEMENTS & MILESTONES
The relationship since 1947, in 9 dates
CURRENT STATE
Where things stand, 2026
The India-Canada relationship is navigating its most severe crisis in decades following the Nijjar affair. While people-to-people ties, trade in essential commodities, and academic cooperation have continued, the political and diplomatic relationship has not recovered to pre-2023 levels. The suspension of CEPA negotiations represents the most tangible commercial casualty. A change of government in Canada in 2025 has opened a cautious path to re-engagement, but the underlying Khalistan issue and competing legal processes remain live points of tension.
SIGNALS TO WATCH
On track / positive momentum
In progress / worth watching
Stalled or facing headwinds
Not yet started / unclear
QUICK FACTS
CapitalOttawa
Population40 million
RegionAmericas
Diplomatic tiesSince 1947
Indian diaspora~1.8 million
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