Mumbai

Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary on Saturday said the India-Canada Talent and Innovation Strategy is “timely and consequential,” emphasising that its four pillars are closely aligned with India’s national priorities.

Speaking at the launch event, Chaudhary said the strategy focuses on embedding Canadian capabilities in Indian priority sectors, translating knowledge and talent into economic outcomes, deepening and rebalancing two-way mobility, and demonstrating credibility through speed and delivery.

“India-Canada Talent and Innovation Strategy is timely, and it will be consequential. Its four pillars… resonate strongly with our national priorities. India stands ready to work with Canada to build globally competitive talent, deepen research collaboration, strengthen skills mobility and foster innovation that addresses shared global challenges. We see this partnership not just as an education initiative, but as a shared investment in our shared future,” he said.

Canada highlights scholarships, mobility pipeline

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said both countries are committed to working together “openly, collaboratively and ambitiously” to shape the future through talent and innovation.

“Canada and India are committed to working together openly, collaboratively and ambitiously to develop the talent and ideas that will shape the future. And our bilateral collaboration is already fueling the talent engine,” she said.

Highlighting initiatives under Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, Anand announced new scholarships that will send graduate students and researchers from 11 Canadian universities to India to collaborate in key areas such as hydrogen, artificial intelligence, climate resilience and supply chain security.

She also pointed to a new partnership between Mitacs and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), under which 300 Indian undergraduate researchers will travel to Canada each year.

“Through a new partnership between Mitacs and the All India Council for Technical Education, 300 Indian undergraduate researchers will come to Canada each year, creating a new, powerful mobility pipeline,” she said, adding that Canadian universities are frontline partners in India’s growth story.

Carney’s visit signals renewed engagement

Earlier in the day, Mark Carney participated in an innovation showcase and interacted with university researchers in Mumbai as part of his official visit to India.

The visit marks the first by a Canadian head of government since the tenure of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during which bilateral ties faced challenges. The current trip signals efforts to rebuild momentum and deepen diplomatic and economic engagement.

According to the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office, Carney will meet business leaders in Mumbai before travelling to New Delhi on March 2 for talks with Narendra Modi.

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The leaders are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade, energy, technology and artificial intelligence, talent and culture, defence, and investment opportunities, with an aim to elevate and broaden the Canada-India partnership.