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British Columbia Premier David Eby and Employment Minister Ravi Kahlon are heading to India in less than a week on a trade mission to promote local businesses and industry amid political uncertainty and tense international relations.
Eby said at a press conference on Tuesday that the delegation, which will work from January 12 to 17, will deepen relations at a critical time as India is expected to soon become the world's third-largest economy.
The officials will visit government and business leaders in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bangalore (Bengaluru).
British Columbia is India's largest trading partner in Canada. Two-way trade between India and British Columbia was $2.1 billion in 2024, representing 25 per cent of Canada's exports to India, Kahlon said.
Eby said the trade mission is especially important after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs.
A particular focus of the mission will be on creating opportunities for the forestry sector, as Eby noted that the industry has been hit hard by tariffs. The delegation will also advocate for clean energy, mining and technology.
Kahlon said British Columbia has 12,000 technology companies and the fastest-growing life sciences sector in the country.
Ebi said recent trade mission to Asia The result has been significant projects, including LNG Phase 2, which is expected to receive a final investment decision this year.
He said the project, owned by a coalition of countries including Korea, Japan and Malaysia, as well as public investment firms from those countries, if completed, would represent “the largest private sector investment in Canadian history.”
Concerns over alleged Indian involvement in Nijjar's assassination
Eby said he remains “deeply troubled” by the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Canadian Sikh separatist gunned down in Surrey, British Columbia, as well as allegations by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. that the Indian government was involved.
Four men have been charged with murder and Eby said he is confident in the ongoing criminal trial.
He said the federal government's job is to work with the Indian government “on issues of common concern,” while B.C.'s role as a “subnational government” is to look after British Columbians, including by creating jobs in sectors struggling because of tariffs.
“We have problems with the United States; we are still working with the United States. We have problems with China; we are still working with China,” Eby said.
Government investment in refinery, not new pipeline: Ebi
Eby also acknowledged U.S. President Donald Trump's intervention in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores and accusing them of participating in a narco-terrorism plot.
But Eby disagreed with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's response to the situation call for fast track pipeline through northern B.C..
Eby instead advocated for increased investment in the Trans Mountain pipeline, which is not operating at full capacity, and suggested tax dollars would be better spent on an oil refinery.
“I don't understand why, if we're talking about huge public investments to support Albertans in these uncertain global times, we can't talk about supporting all Canadians with oil and gas products that are produced right here at home.”
