February 23, 2026 • Canada
MIDDLE POWER STRATEGY: Carney Launches Bold Trade Pivot to Asia with High-Stakes Visits to India, Australia, Japan - Full Infograph Inside
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a major diplomatic and trade mission to India, Australia, and Japan from February 26 to March 7, 2026, aiming to diversify Canada's trade partnerships, attract massive new investment, and deepen security ties in the Indo-Pacific region.
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$30.8B
Canada-India Trade (2024)
In 2024, India was Canada’s seventh-largest goods and services trading partner, with two-way trade totaling $30.8 billion.
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$70B
2030 Trade Goal with India
Canada and India agreed to launch negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to more than double two-way trade to $70 billion by 2030.
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$6.1B
Canada-Australia Trade (2024)
Bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Australia totaled $6.1 billion in 2024.
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$58.8B
Canadian Investment in Australia (2024)
Canadian direct investment in Australia amounted to $58.8 billion in 2024.
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Trilateral
Tech & Innovation Partnership
Last fall, Canada, India, and Australia entered into a new trilateral technology and innovation partnership on critical and emerging technologies.
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$36.4B
Canada-Japan Trade
Bilateral trade between Canada and Japan is worth $36.4 billion annually.
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4th
World's Largest Economy
Japan is the world’s fourth-largest national economy and a critical commercial partner for Canada.
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Fastest-Growing
India's Economy
India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy and a powerhouse in global commerce and technology.
- Prime Minister Carney will visit Mumbai and New Delhi, India, from February 26 to March 7, 2026.
- He will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to elevate the Canada-India relationship.
- Discussions will focus on ambitious new partnerships in trade, energy, technology and artificial intelligence (AI), talent and culture, and defence.
- He will meet with business leaders to identify investment opportunities in Canada and create new partnerships between businesses in both nations.
- The Prime Minister will travel to Sydney and Canberra, Australia.
- He will meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to deepen cooperation on defence and maritime security, critical minerals, trade, and advanced technologies, including AI.
- He will deliver an address to both Houses of Australia’s Parliament and invited dignitaries – the first such address by a Canadian Prime Minister in nearly 20 years.
- He will meet with business leaders and investors to attract new capital into Canada and support two-way trade and investment with Australia.
- In Tokyo, Japan, Prime Minister Carney will meet with Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae.
- The leaders will work to strengthen mutual investment and partnerships in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, and food security.
- They will also discuss strengthening joint efforts on security and defence, including to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.
- The government stated the visits are aimed at building a stronger, more independent, and more resilient economy.
- The focus is on diversifying trade abroad and attracting massive new international investment.
- The trips are intended to deepen regional ties with three of Canada’s strongest Indo-Pacific partners, which are critical to Canada's security and prosperity.
- The government emphasizes that Canada has what the world wants: abundant energy, critical minerals, expertise in technology, and world-class talent.
KEY QUOTES
"In a more uncertain world, Canada is focused on what we can control. We are diversifying our trade and attracting massive new investment to create new opportunities for our workers and businesses. We are forging new partnerships abroad to create greater certainty, security and prosperity at home." - The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
Mark Carney
trade mission
Indo-Pacific
India
Narendra Modi
Australia
Anthony Albanese
Japan
Takaichi Sanae
trade diversification
foreign investment
economic security
critical minerals
artificial intelligence
AI
defence cooperation
maritime security
clean energy
advanced manufacturing
food security
Canada-India relations
Canada-Australia relations
Canada-Japan relations
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
Parliament of Australia address