To explore opportunities to expand trade, business, energy, and industrial ties with one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, two Canadian delegations are visiting India this week.

One delegation comprises the heads or presidents of more than 20 Canadian universities. The group will spend five days in India meeting leaders of Indian universities to explore new avenues for cooperation in academics and research. The delegation is scheduled to visit Goa and New Delhi.

The second delegation is a trade mission from the Canadian province of New Brunswick. The mission arrived in India on Monday and will hold discussions with central and state leaders through February 6, with the aim of strengthening commercial ties and identifying new partnership opportunities. Supported by Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB), the mission focuses on helping businesses diversify internationally, expand into India, and develop new commercial and supply chain partnerships.

The visit by the universities’ delegation comes amid reports that Canada is reducing the intake of international students. In its first budget, the new Liberal government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney has emphasized a shift toward quality over quantity.

This position has been reinforced by pre-departure remarks from senior Canadian academic leaders, including Universities Canada President Gabriel Miller, who 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 mobilized 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 members of the media, adding that the visit was about much more than the intake or flow of international students.

One of the objectives of the delegation is to signal to India’s top young researchers the availability of funding and opportunities to collaborate with leading global peers to advance their research ambitions. The delegation plans to prioritize research partnerships with a focus on early-career talent. It will also encourage collaborations with Indian universities and research institutions, enabling students to pursue advanced research in India rather than traveling abroad.

Luke Randall, the minister responsible for Opportunities New Brunswick and economic development and small business, who is leading the trade mission, said ahead 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 recognizing 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 are expected to gain direct access to potential buyers, partners, and decision-makers.

The mission underscores 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 growth opportunities. 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.

The delegation includes four New Brunswick companies and one academic institution, representing sectors such as advanced manufacturing, agri-food, edtech, educational and professional services, and academic research, highlighting the breadth and strength of the province’s export-ready industries.

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