Mark Carney to Forge New Economic Links With Key Asian and Pacific Powers

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Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is preparing for a significant overseas trip that will see him visit India, Australia, and Japan between February 26 and March 7, 2026, according to official announcements and news reports. The tour is part of Ottawa’s broader strategy to diversify Canada’s trade relationships and strengthen ties with key partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

Carney’s itinerary is oriented towards expanding economic and strategic cooperation with three influential economies. During meetings in New Delhi and Mumbai, he is expected to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business leaders focused on boosting trade in sectors like energy, technology, artificial intelligence, and defence.

In Australia, Carney will meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, where discussions will cover defence cooperation, critical minerals, and advanced technological collaboration. His visit to Australia will also include an address to both Houses of Australia’s Parliament, marking an unusual and high-profile diplomatic platform for a Canadian leader.

The final leg of the visit takes Carney to Tokyo, where he is scheduled to meet Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Talks in Japan will prioritise mutual investment, clean energy initiatives, food security cooperation, and efforts to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific economic framework. Discussions are also expected to touch on critical minerals and advanced manufacturing collaborations.

This diplomatic push comes amid increasing trade tensions with the United States, as Ottawa looks to reduce its historical reliance on Washington for commerce and investment. Canadian officials have framed the Indo-Pacific tour as a way to "unlock new opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses" by deepening relationships with rising economies and strategic partners.

Carney’s India visit is especially significant, coming after a period of strained relations. It marks the first bilateral prime ministerial visit to India since Carney took office, and follows efforts by both Ottawa and New Delhi to improve ties after earlier diplomatic discord. Talks are expected to touch on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to expand bilateral trade, including a potential 10-year uranium procurement deal and wider investments.

Carney’s Indo-Pacific tour is widely seen as an expression of Canada’s evolving foreign policy under his leadership one that seeks broader engagement beyond traditional Western allies and deeper partnerships in dynamic growth regions. Analysts suggest that these visits could lay the groundwork for long-term economic and security cooperation that positions Canada as a proactive player in global trade and geopolitical networks.