Canada – India relations , or Indo-Canadian relations , are the longstanding bilateral relations between Canada and the Republic of India , which are built upon a " mutual commitment to democracy " , " pluralism " , and " people-to-people links " , according to the government of Canada . In 2009 , bilateral trade between India and Canada was at about C$ 4.14 billion . Most notably , the bombing of Air India Flight 182 by Canadian residents , killing a vast quantity of Canadian citizens , had effects on relations for about 20 years . India 's Smiling Buddha nuclear test added strains to the relationship between the two nations , with allegations that India broke the terms of the Colombo Plan . Although Jean Chrétien and Roméo LeBlanc both visited India in the late 1990s , relations were again halted , albeit temporarily , after the Pokhran-II tests . India and Canada are taking steps to become strategic partners , with Prime Minister Stephen Harper making a state visit in 2012 . Both are former British colonies and full members of the Commonwealth of Nations , with Canada being home to one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world
Air India Flight 182
Air India Flight 182
Canada–India relations