Chandigarh University hosts Canadian Minister Rajan Sawhney as India–Canada relations poised for strategic reset
Babushahi Bureau
Mohali (Punjab), February 4, 2026: India–Canada relations are poised for a significant reset and forward momentum as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s upcoming visit to India is expected to open new avenues for trade, academic collaboration and bilateral cooperation, said Rajan Sawhney, Canada’s Minister of Indigenous Relations, during her visit to Chandigarh University.
Speaking at the event ‘Beyond Diplomacy: People, Knowledge and Youth as the Future of India–Canada Relations’, Sawhney said Canada views India as a key global partner and is keen to strengthen ties across trade, education, energy, research, critical minerals and people-to-people engagement. She was part of a high-level Canadian delegation visiting India to explore deeper economic and institutional collaborations.
“Canada wants India to know that we are a reliable and trusted partner. The path ahead for our relationship is positive and productive,” Sawhney said, underlining renewed efforts to deepen bilateral engagement at a strategic level.
Referring to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s proposed visit to India in March—at a time when India has concluded major trade agreements with the European Union and the United States—Sawhney said the visit presents a timely opportunity to strengthen India–Canada trade relations. “As both countries seek to diversify markets and expand economic engagement, this visit can translate shared intent into tangible outcomes. I expect discussions between the two prime ministers to be fruitful and forward-looking,” she added.
Highlighting the scope for collaboration in research, energy and sustainability, the Canadian minister stressed the importance of partnerships between Indian and Canadian universities, particularly in areas such as clean energy, decarbonisation, artificial intelligence, quantum technology and agri-technology. She said strong institutional ties are the foundation for impactful research cooperation.
“Once universities connect, opportunities emerge naturally. Research funding often comes from a mix of government, universities, private sector and non-profit agencies. Canadian institutions are actively looking for the right global partners, and many collaborations have grown organically through academic engagement,” Sawhney said.
Senior Managing Director of Chandigarh University, Deep Inder Singh Sandhu, extended collaboration proposals to Canada in academics, research, innovation, clean energy and sustainability. Responding positively, Sawhney said Canada would take the proposal forward through strong institution-to-institution engagement and explore meaningful partnerships with Chandigarh University.
“Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) is the future, and Canadian universities are already doing extensive work in this area. There is immense scope for joint work in clean energy, sustainability, AI, agri-technology and advanced research where our institutions can create real-world impact,” she said.
On international education, Sawhney said Canada’s quota for international students has not been fully utilised and Indian students still have strong opportunities to study there. She noted that while global student preferences are evolving, Canada continues to offer high-quality education. “Indian students gain valuable knowledge and skills in Canada, which they can bring back to India, while institutions like Chandigarh University also play a crucial role in retaining talent domestically,” she added.
Addressing concerns over the suspension of in-person consular services in cities such as Chandigarh, Mumbai and Bengaluru, Sawhney said visa and consular matters fall under the federal government. “We will raise these concerns with our federal counterparts and advocate for expansion of services to support Indian students and professionals,” she assured.
On racial discrimination, the minister said it is a global challenge but reiterated that Canada follows a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination.
Speaking about her roots in Punjab, Sawhney shared that visiting her ancestral village near Phagwara after 25 years was an emotional experience. “The warmth and respect I received deeply moved me. I also brought my children to Chandigarh to show them our family home,” she said.
Responding to a question on Punjabis in Canada, Sawhney said the Indian diaspora—particularly Punjabis—forms one of Canada’s strongest talent pools. “Punjabis have earned their place in Canada through hard work, resilience and contribution. In many ways, Punjab has become a second home to Canada, and that bond is built on trust and effort,” she said.