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To explore opportunities of furthering trade, business, energy, and industrial relations with the world’s third largest growing economy, two Canadian delegations will be in India this week.

One of these delegations will comprise heads or presidents of various Canadian universities. Represented by more than 20 universities, this delegation will be in India for five days to hold meetings with the heads of Indian universities to open new vistas for cooperation in the fields of academics and research. The delegation will visit Goa and New Delhi.

The other delegation heading for India is a trade mission from the Canadian province of New Brunswick. It arrived in India today and will hold deliberations with central and state leaders till February 6 with the goal of strengthening commercial ties and exploring new partnership opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. The mission is supported by Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB) and will focus on businesses seeking to diversify internationally, expand into India, and develop new commercial and supply-chain partnerships.

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The visit of the universities' delegation assumes special significance amidst reports of Canada slashing the intake of international students. In its first budget, the new Liberal government headed by Mark Carney has made it clear that it wants the quality and not the quantity.

This has been amplified by the predeparture statements made by the top Canadian academicians, including the president of Universities Canada, Gabriel Miller, as he said, “Our mission to India puts Canadian universities right at the forefront of this national project to re-engineer our economy and reinvent our place in the world.

“There is no other sector of our economy, no other industry or group, that’s mobilised so early to take a national delegation there and support the roadmap in rebuilding the relationship between the two countries,” he said while interacting with a section of media, holding that the visit was much more than the intake or flow of international students.

One of the objectives of delegation is to send a signal to India’s top young brains about the availability of funding and opportunities to join the best brains to further their research ambitions. It will prioritise research partnerships with a focus on young, sharp brains. The mission would also encourage partnerships with Indian universities and research institutions so that students, instead of travelling to Canada, could pursue their research while staying home.

Luke Randall, minister responsible for Opportunities NB and economic development and small business, who is leading the mission, said on the eve of his departure, “Global trade dynamics are evolving quickly, and New Brunswick is proactively deepening its engagement with key markets like India. Our province is not alone in recognising the economic opportunities in India, but we are the only Atlantic province with an in-market team, and as a result, we have built strong partnerships that are opening doors to new opportunities that support long-term growth, diversification, and resilience.” 

Through targeted business-to-business meetings, market briefings, and on-the-ground support, participating companies will gain direct access to potential buyers, partners, and decision-makers.  

The mission reinforces New Brunswick’s long-term commitment to the Indian market and builds on the province’s in-market presence, which helps companies navigate local business environments and identify opportunities for growth. It also builds on the success of ONB’s March 2025 trade mission to India, with a continued focus on deepening trade relationships, supporting export growth, and positioning New Brunswick as a competitive and reliable partner for trade and investment. 

This mission includes four New Brunswick companies and one academic institution, representing key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, agri-food, edtech, educational and professional services, and academic research, reflecting the diversity and strength of the province’s export-ready industries. 

Discover more at New India Abroad.