As India and Canada deepen ties across science, technology, and innovation, their partnership reflects a shared commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future, one that not only serves national interests but also contributes meaningfully to global progress. Sneha Sinha writes.
India and Canada share nearly eight decades of diplomatic ties rooted in democratic values and strong people-to-people connections. Science, technology, and innovation remain central pillars of the bilateral partnership. The Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to India in earlier this month signals renewed momentum in diplomatic ties as well as a strategic reset. This renewed engagement comes amid growing global uncertainty, including ongoing conflicts in West Asia, which clearly underline the vulnerabilities in energy markets and supply chains. In this context, the recent India-Canada Joint Statement focuses on advancing strategic energy partnership, energy trade, cooperation in critical minerals and clean energy together with science and technology, space, digital and AI cooperation. India and Canada are strengthening cooperation in critical and emerging sectors. An effort in this direction is further reinforced by initiatives like the Australia–Canada–India Technology and Innovation Partnership, reflecting a shift toward trusted technology coalitions which was announced in November 2025. Green energy innovation, resilient and diversified supply chains and strategic collaboration toward net-zero objectives, alongside large-scale adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) for social and economic advancement were the core areas of collaboration between the three countries under the ACITI.
The recent joint statement between the two countries is guided by the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Aligning India’s development vision with Canada’s growth agenda, the philosophy of “One Earth, One Family and One Future” integrates sustainability, innovation, and inclusive growth, demonstrating how shared values can address global challenges.
Energy cooperation stands at the forefront, with the launch of a Strategic Energy Partnership covering clean energy, civil nuclear collaboration, critical minerals, and carbon capture technologies. Canada’s expertise in resource management complements India’s leadership in renewable energy deployment and digital public infrastructure. Initiatives such as the proposed pulse protein centre and expanded climate agreements highlight the breadth of cooperation.
Institutionally, both India and Canada have agreed to revitalise mechanisms like the Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee to accelerate collaboration in frontier areas including quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and secure digital ecosystems. In space, long-standing cooperation between the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Canadian Space Agency is set to expand into advanced domains such as space robotics and human spaceflight. Digital and AI collaboration emerge as another pillar that further strengthens the partnership, enabling applications in healthcare, infrastructure, and energy systems. Under ACITI, trilateral cooperation is advancing in semiconductors, high-performance computing, cybersecurity, and startup ecosystems, alongside efforts to promote responsible AI governance. At its core, the partnership is driven by talent mobility and knowledge exchange. Programs like IC-IMPACTS exemplify impactful collaboration across infrastructure, water, health, and food security, while initiatives such as Mitacs and Indo-Pacific scholarships enable two-way learning.
As India and Canada deepen ties across science, technology, and innovation, their partnership reflects a shared commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future, one that not only serves national interests but also contributes meaningfully to global progress.