Archive · 9 Oct 2026
India May Invite Mark Carney as Republic Day Chief Guest
India is thinking about inviting Canada's prime minister, Mark Carney, to its Republic Day celebration in 2027.
The report says the invitation has not been confirmed.
India and Canada are also working on a trade agreement.
They have finished four rounds of talks and are holding another one.
Their leaders want to finish the agreement by the end of 2026.
The two countries have been trying to improve their relationship and work together more on business.
India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, is expected to visit Canada in December.
If he goes, it will be his first bilateral visit there in ten years.
India is reportedly considering inviting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as chief guest for Republic Day on January 26, 2027.
The possible invitation comes as New Delhi and Ottawa seek to improve ties and expand economic cooperation.
India and Canada have completed four rounds of negotiations on a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with a fifth round underway.
Both governments aim to conclude the trade agreement by the end of 2026, a target Narendra Modi and Carney reaffirmed at the G7 Summit on June 16.
Modi is expected to visit Canada in December; if it proceeds, it would be his first bilateral visit there in a decade.
- Who
- India and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; Narendra Modi is also expected to visit Canada.
- What
- India is reportedly considering inviting Carney as chief guest for Republic Day 2027, while the countries pursue a trade agreement.
- When
- Republic Day is January 26, 2027; the proposed trade-deal target is the end of 2026.
- Where
- The Republic Day celebrations are in India; trade negotiations are being held between India and Canada.
- Why
- The possible invitation is part of efforts to improve bilateral relations and strengthen economic cooperation.
Reported diplomatic opening
Not yet confirmed
Republic Day invitation
Reported diplomatic opening
The possible invitation could reflect efforts to improve India-Canada relations and expand economic cooperation.
Not yet confirmed
The invitation is only being considered, according to the report; no official confirmation is given in the article.
Trade agreement timeline
Reported diplomatic opening
Both governments aim to conclude the CEPA negotiations by the end of 2026.
Not yet confirmed
The negotiations are ongoing, with the fifth round underway, so the agreement has not yet been concluded.
Modi's Canada visit
Reported diplomatic opening
Modi is expected to visit Canada in December, potentially as negotiations near completion.
Not yet confirmed
The trip is described as expected or planned, not as a completed or definitively confirmed visit.
- Proposed chief guest
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; invitation is under consideration, according to a Hindustan Times report.
- Republic Day
- January 26, 2027.
- Trade agreement
- Proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
- Negotiations
- Four rounds completed; the fifth round is underway.
- Target for agreement
- By the end of 2026.
- Modi's expected visit
- Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada in December; the report says it would be his first bilateral visit there in a decade if it goes ahead.
- Recent cooperation
- The countries discussed economic cooperation and agreements related to critical minerals and Canadian uranium ore supplies.