India and Canada have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation across critical minerals, electric mobility, battery manufacturing and sustainable industrial development following high-level discussions held in New Delhi. The talks signal a renewed push to align strategic interests in clean energy transition, advanced manufacturing and resilient supply chains.
The meeting between Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H D Kumaraswamy and Canadian Minister of Natural Resources Tim Hodgson was framed around India’s long-term development roadmap under the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision and its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. Both sides explored ways to align policy priorities and industrial capabilities to accelerate clean manufacturing and energy security.
During the discussions at Udyog Bhawan, Minister Kumaraswamy underlined India’s rapid emergence as a global manufacturing hub, particularly in automobiles, electric vehicles and advanced mobility solutions. He highlighted the scale of domestic demand, strong policy support and growing industrial capacity that position India as a key destination for clean technology investments.
Minister Hodgson acknowledged India’s expanding role in battery technologies and electric mobility ecosystems and expressed Canada’s interest in sharing advanced battery technologies and expertise. Canada also reiterated its readiness to support India’s requirements for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements, which are essential for batteries, clean energy systems and high-tech manufacturing. At the same time, Canada sought deeper market access and collaboration opportunities for its companies operating in the clean energy and resource sectors.
Both sides discussed establishing structured frameworks for cooperation across battery cell and component manufacturing, next-generation battery research and development, critical mineral exploration and supply chains, as well as testing, certification and sustainable manufacturing practices. The talks also covered opportunities to strengthen industrial partnerships and joint ventures across the value chain.
The engagement builds on broader diplomatic momentum between the two countries, with plans underway to formalise critical minerals cooperation in the coming weeks. As part of this effort, a high-level Indian government and industry delegation is scheduled to participate in the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention in Toronto in March 2026, where the first Canada–India Critical Minerals Annual Dialogue will be held.
Senior officials from the Ministries of Heavy Industries and Steel, NMDC, BHEL, the Ministry of External Affairs, along with members of the Canadian delegation, took part in the discussions.
The talks form part of a wider reset in India–Canada relations, following the launch of a renewed Ministerial Energy Dialogue at India Energy Week 2026 in Goa earlier this week. The dialogue focuses on strengthening cooperation in energy security, clean technologies and supply chain resilience, reflecting shared priorities in navigating the global energy transition.
