Volume 19                Issue #01       January 2026

Dear Friends,

Since that epic and unprecedented spectacle by former Prime Minister Trudeau in Parliament, things have never been the same for Canada-India bilateral. In the past few years, most of you have shared that common concern, frustration, anxiety and hope. 

In spite of recent changes in tone, the concern over the future trajectory of this relationship has not gone away. The Indo Canadian community, especially, will be looking for firm signals that indicate a new direction, not the current one where our good work and positive contributions to Canada are often put to a loyalty test. 

There are questions surrounding the future of our young generation in Canada who have to bear the brunt of negativity surrounding immigration.

But let us stay optimistic – keep the hope alive that better times are ahead for all of us and our great country of Canada. It is not a big hope, to expect our leadership to make bold choices in the larger interest of the country.

And I’m sure this resonates with one and all who call Canada home.

For the Indo-Canadian community, this relationship is not an abstract foreign-policy issue. It shapes real lives. It affects students pursuing education in Canada, entrepreneurs seeking to build businesses, families hoping simply to spend time together, and professionals contributing quietly to the economy and society. Even a slight change in political winds can place their plans and their sense of belonging under strain.

For those of us who have embraced Canada as our home, it is deeply unsettling when headlines and narratives cast doubt on our loyalty or intentions. We are a community that asks for little: the opportunity to work hard, live with dignity, and raise our families in security in the country we proudly call home.

Recent developments in Ottawa offer cautious optimism. After listening to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, many in our community feel that frustration is beginning to give way to guarded hope.



In a world increasingly shaped by conflict, economic nationalism, and fragile alliances, the Prime Minister spoke of leadership that is both principled and pragmatic - protecting national interests firmly, while remaining committed to cooperation, stability, and responsibility. (READ MORE)

Save the Date

International Women's Day 2026

Canada is seeking to expand energy exports to India to diversify its markets and reduce its heavy reliance on the United States. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson Speaking at Indian Energy Week, described Canada’s dependence on the U.S. for 98 per cent of its energy exports as a “strategic blunder” and identified India as a key growth partner. Noting that India represents the world’s fastest-growing energy demand, he said Canada is well positioned to supply crude oil, liquefied natural gas, and uranium. (Read more)

India and the European Union (EU) signed a historic trade deal on January 27th, a day after India celebrated its Republic Day in the presence of EU Commission President, Ursula Von der Layen and António Luís Santos da Costa, President of the European Council. Negotiations for an India-EU FTA began in 2007 around the same time as the Canada India negotiations started. (Read more.)

B.C. Premier and Punjab CM Discuss Key Sectors of Mutual Economic Cooperation

Premier of British Columbia during his recent visit to India called on the Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Singh Mann. They discussed many areas of mutual interest, especially in the farming and agro-processing industries. On manufacturing and trade, Mann said Canada’s expertise in agricultural machinery and precision engineering could integrate well with Punjab’s industrial clusters. (Read more.)

Consulate General of India in Toronto Launches Help Centre for Indian Women

The Consulate General of India (CGI) in Toronto has launched a "One Stop Centre for Women (OSCW)", a dedicated 24/7 support service for Indian passport-holding women in distress in Canada, offering help for domestic violence, abuse, family conflicts, legal issues, and exploitation by connecting them to counselling, legal aid, and community resources within Canadian law. You can contact the Centre via its 24/7 helpline at +1 (437) 552-3309 or email osc.toronto@mea.gov.in. (Read more.)

India-New Zealand FTA Signed in Record Time

Nine Months. That’s all it took for India and New Zealand to move from beginning of negotiations to conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement. It is projected to open new opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs, farmers, MSMEs, students and youth in both countries across a range of sectors. (Read more.)

Immigration Canada has suspended fresh applications for parents and grandparents wishing to join their children in Canada under the family reunion category for the year 2026. Under fire for a mismanaged immigration system that, according to its critics, has wreaked havoc on Canadian social fabric in recent years, Canada has reduced immigrant inflows in all categories including students in recent months. (Read more.)

What was once considered a sleepy little provincial capital and literally bordering on the famed backwaters of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, has emerged as the hottest destination for foreign travellers to India, beating out past favourites like Goa, Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi. (Read more.)

India Launches Three Year Infrastructure Spent Worth $260 Billion

India Launches World’s Only Second Lab to Test Air Pollution Instruments

India has surpassed China to become the largest rice producer in the world with a production of 150.18 million tonnes, while China's rice production stood at 145.28 million tonnes. India’s Agriculture Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, pointed out that India has progressed from being a food-deficient country to becoming a leading supplier of agricultural products to global markets. (Read more.)

Indigenously Developed MRI Scanner a Game Changer for India

The Make in India received a major boost when local scientists developed a fully indigenous MRI scanner that come with features that improve on its international rivals. The innovations are expected to drastically lower scan costs, improving access for smaller hospitals and rural areas. Twelve years under development, the made in India scanner is suited to Indian climatic conditions and come 40% cheaper. Only a handful of companies internationally have the necessary technology to build MRI scanners. (Read more.)

India’s REIT Investments Outperform Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong

With a gross asset value (GAV) of ₹2.3 lakh crore rupees ($2.55 billion) and a listed market cap of ₹1.66 lakh crore ($1.6 billion), India’s Reit ecosystem is now larger than Hong Kong’s, despite only 32% of the country’s Reit-worthy commercial stock being publicly listed. Across five listed Reits—Embassy, Mindspace, Brookfield India, Nexus Select, and the 2025 entrant Knowledge Realty Trust—India’s Reit index has delivered a 5-year annualised price return of +8.9%, outperforming Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong Reit markets. (Read more.)

India’s Broadband Users Cross One Billion

India’s broadband users multiplied six times in the past ten years to cross a billion users currently. Aided by its ambitious National Broadband Mission, India today ranks among the most sophisticated markets for broadband connectivity and digital innovation. The increased data consumption was complemented by median mobile broadband download speeds, which grew from 10.71 Mbps in 2019 to an impressive 131.47 Mbps in October 2025. (Read more.)

Canada India Foundation (CIF) thrilled to share the recent appointment of Dr. Praveen Jain to the Order of Canada. This recognition is truly deserving, and recognizes your exceptional contributions to Canada, especially his work in the energy & power sector in Canada. As a dedicated educationist, philanthropist, and mentor, he has positively impacted the community for decades and provided a role model to the next generation on how to retain your cultural roots while being a proud Canadian. The commendation aptly describes you:” Praveen Jain, a leading inventor in electrical energy processing, has advanced efficient power generation, transmission and use through electronics. A Queen’s University professor and founder of its Centre for Energy and Power Electronics Research, he has shaped the field while mentoring more than 100 trainees, earning recognition as an outstanding educator and innovator.”

Canada India Foundation (CIF) thrilled to share the recent appointment of Dr. Chandrakant Shah to the Order of Canada. This honour is both fitting and well deserved, recognizing your exceptional contributions to advance public health with a special focus on Indigenous health. The commendation aptly reflects the depth and impact of your work: "Professor emeritus at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Chandrakant Shah transformed public health education nationwide and championed Indigenous health throughout his career. He reshaped Canada’s citizenship exam and established the country’s first endowed Indigenous health chair, leaving a profound legacy of inclusion, scholarship and systemic reform.”

We take immense pride in these achievements as a distinguished Indo Canadians, contributing significantly to raising awareness and enriching the community's image in Canada.

Canada India Foundation continued its efforts to help create awareness in the community to donate to the Canadian Blood Services. Blood is always a critical element in healthcare with the power to save lives. CIF is encouraging members of the Indo Canadian community to be proactive and help in this crucial program. 

Click here to join today

Ritesh Malik

Chair

Pankaj Dave

National Convener

Sanjay Makkar

Co-convener

Canada India Foundation

5160 Explorer Drive, Unit #1

Mississauga, ON L4W 4T7 Ph: 905-602-1001

E-mail: info@canadaindiafoundation.com

www.canadaindiafoundation.com

Disclaimer: This monthly e-newsletter is produced by the Canada India Foundation (CIF), a registered not-for-profit organisation with an aim to provide meaningful communication between its own board of governors and with a larger audience of policy makers and industry leaders. Views expressed by writers are their own and the CIF does not necessarily agree with them. We do not claim to provide any advice on any subject. Similarly, we are not liable for any misrepresentation or misleading claims made by an advertiser. Content provided in this newsletter is for general information purposes only.