New Delhi, Ottawa revive ministerial energy dialogue after diplomatic freeze
Canada and India have agreed to significantly expand trade in oil, gas and petroleum products, signalling a reset in energy ties after a prolonged diplomatic chill.
The renewed cooperation follows a meeting between Canadian Energy Minister Tim Hodgson and India’s Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, according to a joint statement seen by Bloomberg News.
Crude, LNG and LPG exports to India
As part of the new push, Canada will increase shipments of crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to India. In return, New Delhi will step up exports of refined petroleum products to Canada.
The agreement underscores a two-way energy partnership aimed at strengthening supply chains and diversifying trade flows between the two countries.
Energy dialogue relaunched at India Energy Week
The ministers are scheduled to meet at India Energy Week in Goa on Tuesday, where they will formally relaunch the bilateral “ministerial energy dialogue.”
Once the cornerstone of India-Canada energy cooperation, the dialogue had remained dormant following a sharp diplomatic dispute over the killing of a Canadian Sikh activist, which strained ties between the two governments.
Canada looks beyond US amid trade tensions
The renewed engagement marks a key element of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s strategy to diversify export markets amid escalating trade tensions with the United States.
It also reflects Ottawa’s broader shift towards pragmatic, economy-first diplomacy with major Asian partners, with India emerging as a critical growth market for Canadian energy exports.
Strategic significance
For India, deeper energy ties with Canada align with its goal of securing reliable long-term energy supplies. For Canada, the partnership opens a pathway to expand its global energy footprint beyond North America.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
