In one of the most closely watched engagements at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on Saturday—an encounter seen as a significant step toward stabilising ties that had plunged into tension over the past year. The meeting signalled a renewed attempt by both sides to move past recent frictions and rebuild momentum in the India–Canada relationship.
During the talks, the two leaders reviewed progress under the recently launched New Roadmap for bilateral engagement and welcomed the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation Partnership, which aims to boost cooperation in critical technologies, nuclear energy, supply-chain diversification and artificial intelligence. According to a PIB India release, both sides also agreed to begin negotiations on a high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with a shared goal of doubling bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030. Civil nuclear cooperation, long-term uranium supply and collaboration in education, defence, energy and space were also discussed. Prime Minister Modi invited Carney to visit India, and the Canadian leader expressed support for India’s AI Impact Summit in February 2026.
Earlier in the day, Modi met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with the two leaders reaffirming their commitment to deepen the India–Italy Strategic Partnership. Meloni expressed solidarity with India over the recent terror incident in Delhi and joined Modi in adopting a new India–Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism. The mechanism aims to strengthen cooperation through platforms such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Global Counter Terrorism Forum. The leaders, according to a PIB release, welcomed progress in defence, security, space, S&T and people-to-people ties, and noted strong industry participation at business forums held in New Delhi and Brescia this year. Meloni reiterated Italy’s backing for a swift, mutually beneficial India–EU Free Trade Agreement.
Prime Minister Modi also held his first in-person meeting with Japan’s new leader, Sanae Takaichi, following their initial phone conversation last month. Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, rooted in shared democratic values and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. They reviewed progress since the 15th India–Japan Annual Summit and pressed for swift implementation of agreements covering defence, semiconductors, critical minerals, AI, infrastructure and innovation. Takaichi conveyed strong Japanese support for India’s 2026 AI Summit as well.
Across all three meetings, Modi underscored India’s focus on technology partnerships, trusted supply chains, counter-terrorism cooperation and an interconnected Indo-Pacific. The discussions also highlighted India’s growing diplomatic weight within the G20 platform, as key partners reaffirmed support for India’s technology initiatives and strategic priorities.
