B.C. Premier David Eby and Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon will travel to India next week on a major trade mission aimed at strengthening economic ties and opening new markets for provincial industries. The delegation leaves Jan. 12 and returns Jan. 17, visiting New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru.
Speaking at a news conference in Vancouver, Eby said the mission comes at a critical moment as India moves toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy. He stressed the importance of long-term partnerships during a period of global trade instability and geopolitical strain.
India already stands as British Columbia’s largest trading partner within Canada. Kahlon said bilateral trade between India and B.C. reached $2.1 billion in 2024. That figure represents roughly 25 percent of all Canadian exports to India.
Focus on Forestry, Clean Energy, Mining, and Tech
Eby said the mission carries added urgency due to tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which have placed pressure on key export sectors. Forestry will receive particular attention, with the province seeking new buyers and investment opportunities for an industry facing sustained trade headwinds.
The delegation will also promote clean energy, mining, and technology. Kahlon highlighted British Columbia’s growing innovation economy, noting the province hosts about 12,000 tech companies and holds the fastest-growing life sciences sector in Canada.
The goal, he said, is simple. Find stable, diversified markets for B.C. products while building relationships with Indian government and business leaders.
Eby pointed to a recent Asia trade mission as proof of the approach. That trip helped advance several major projects, including LNG Phase 2, which is expected to reach a final investment decision later this year.
The project involves a coalition of private and state-backed investors from Korea, Japan, and Malaysia. Eby said approval would mark the largest private-sector investment in Canadian history.
Eby also addressed broader political issues during the announcement. He rejected taxpayer-funded pipelines, confirmed private property will not be used in provincial reconciliation agreements, and welcomed the collapse of Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela.
He also spoke at length about the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Canadian citizen murdered in Surrey. Eby said the case remains a serious concern and reaffirmed confidence in the criminal process, with four men already charged. He added the responsibility for diplomatic engagement with India rests with Ottawa. British Columbia’s role, he said, focuses on protecting jobs and supporting workers. “We have challenges with the United States; we still work with the United States. We have challenges with China; we still work with China,” Eby said.
