If you or someone in your family has been watching the news from India lately, you already know something significant just happened. Prime Minister Mark Carney landed in Mumbai on February 27, 2026 , becoming the first Canadian Prime Minister to visit India in nearly eight years and by the time he left New Delhi on March 2, the Canada-India relationship looked dramatically different than it did just 16 months ago.
For the Indian community in Calgary, Saskatoon, and across Canada, this is not just geopolitical news. It is news that could directly affect your immigration options, your children’s study pathways, and your family’s future in this country.
Let us break down what actually happened, what it means for immigration, and most importantly, what you should be doing right now.
Cast your mind back to late 2023. Canada-India relations had collapsed spectacularly following allegations linking Indian government agents to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Diplomats were expelled on both sides. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations , years in the making, came to a dead stop. Visa processing slowed. The diplomatic chill was real, and thousands of Indian families with pending immigration files felt it.
The thaw began quietly in mid-2025 when Carney invited Prime Minister Modi to the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Since then, both countries have logged more bilateral engagement than in the previous two decades combined. The March 2026 visit to Mumbai and New Delhi was the culmination of that momentum and the results were substantial.
1. CEPA Negotiations Are Back on Track
Canada and India signed the Terms of Reference to formally relaunch Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement talks, with a target to conclude negotiations by the end of 2026. Trade agreements like CEPA often include labor mobility provisions, meaning new or expanded pathways for professionals, intra-company transferees, and business visitors to move between the two countries. While final details will determine the scope, a completed CEPA could meaningfully expand work permit options for Indian professionals in sectors like energy, technology, and critical minerals.
2. A $100 Million Scholarship Commitment for Indian Students
The University of Toronto announced a commitment of up to $100 million CAD to fund fully funded scholarships for Indian students. Alongside this, 300 funded research positions at Canadian universities were unveiled as part of a new Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy. Thirteen new university partnerships were signed between Canadian and Indian institutions.
This matters enormously for families planning their children’s study-to-PR pathway. Graduate-level students i.e. Masters and PhD are already exempt from Canada’s 2026 study permit cap as of January 1 of this year. These funded research positions sit entirely outside the cap framework, making them one of the most viable and competitive entry points into Canada’s immigration system right now.
3. HCL Technologies Expanding in Calgary
One of the most locally significant announcements for our clients: HCL Technologies, India’s third-largest IT services company, confirmed it is opening an AI Collaboration Centre right here in Calgary. The company plans to grow its Canadian workforce by 75 percent by 2030. For Indian IT professionals already in Canada on open work permits, or those considering Express Entry, this kind of employer demand in Calgary strengthens your profile. Canada’s category-based draws in STEM and priority occupations draw directly from labor market needs and Calgary is increasingly on the map.
4. The $2.6 Billion Cameco-India Uranium Deal
Saskatchewan-based Cameco (headquartered in Saskatoon) signed a landmark $2.6 billion uranium supply agreement with India’s Department of Atomic Energy. This deal runs from 2027 to 2035 and cements Saskatoon’s role as a critical node in the Canada-India energy relationship. For newcomers and skilled workers in Saskatchewan, this kind of long-term investment signals sustained employer demand in the province, which feeds directly into Saskatchewan’s Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) pathways.
If you are a student or planning to send a child to Canada: The cap of 155,000 study permits remains in place for 2026, but Master’s and PhD applicants are exempt. The new scholarships and research positions are your best leverage. Applications for the University of Toronto scholarship program are expected to open around mid-2026, with the first cohort beginning studies in Fall 2027. Start preparing your academic profile and language scores now, competition will be fierce.
If you are a skilled worker in tech, energy, or AI: The Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy sends an unambiguous signal: India remains Canada’s most important source of skilled talent. Express Entry category-based draws have been targeting STEM, healthcare, and trades occupations. With HCL’s Calgary expansion and the broader tech sector investment announced during Carney’s visit, Calgary’s labor market is strengthening in exactly the sectors that feed the highest CRS-scoring Express Entry profiles.
If you are a temporary resident worried about permit expiry: This is an urgent concern for many in our community. Nearly 1.9 million temporary resident permits are set to expire in 2026. The Carney government has announced a program targeting 33,000 workers in in-demand sectors for permanent residence over the next two years. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab is expected to release full program details in April 2026. If your permit is expiring this year, you cannot afford to wait, speak with an immigration lawyer before that deadline arrives.
If you are a business owner or entrepreneur: The Start-Up Visa program has been paused for new applications in 2026. However, Alberta and Saskatchewan both maintain active provincial entrepreneur streams. With billions of dollars in new Canada-India trade commitments and the reconstituted Canada-India CEO Forum, the business environment between the two countries is opening up. An experienced immigration lawyer can help you identify the right provincial pathway for your business goals.
Carney’s visit did not erase all of the diplomatic complexity between Canada and India. The Nijjar case remains unresolved. Security concerns around the Sikh diaspora were acknowledged by Foreign Minister Anita Anand as an ongoing priority. This reset is, as one analyst put it, a meaningful thaw, not a clean slate.
For the South Asian community in Calgary and Saskatoon, that nuance matters. Community members, particularly those involved in Sikh advocacy, have raised legitimate concerns about whether this rapprochement came too quickly. These are conversations worth having with community leaders, with elected officials, and yes, with your legal counsel.
What is not in doubt is that the immigration implications of this diplomatic shift are real and time-sensitive.
Canada-India relations have turned a corner. New scholarships, new employer investments in Calgary, a reinvigorated CEPA process, and Saskatchewan’s uranium economy all create genuine immigration opportunities for Indian nationals — whether you are a student, a skilled worker, a temporary resident, or a business owner.
But immigration law does not reward passivity. Deadlines are firm. Policy windows open and close. What is available today may look different in six months.
Uppal Legal Group serves clients across Calgary and Saskatoon with Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu support available.
If you’re planning regarding your immigration needs, make sure to get proper immigration advice. At Uppal Legal, we have extensive knowledge of immigration. We’re experts in the Calgary and Saskatoon areas and we can provide the guidance to ensure your immigration cases are dealt with highest priority. Call us today at 587-358-2222 / 403-608-8000, or send us an email at office@uppallegal.ca for a comprehensive review of your immigration status.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Every immigration case is unique, and immigration laws are subject to change. For personalized guidance on your specific circumstances, please contact us directly to discuss your year-end tax planning and corporate structure needs.
