BRITISH COLUMBIA — As British Columbia navigates a volatile trade war with the United States, Premier David Eby and Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon have completed a high-stakes, six-day trade mission to India, aimed at securing the Northwest’s economic future through massive energy and mining partnerships.
The mission, which spanned from January 12 to 17, 2026, targeted four major hubs: New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru. The goal was singular: to diversify B.C.’s export markets and reduce the province’s reliance on a U.S. administration that has hammered the local forestry sector with “unjustified” tariffs.
Mining the “Belle of the Ball”
Speaking from Mumbai, India’s financial heart, Premier Eby told reporters that B.C.’s mining sector was the undisputed “belle of the ball” during the trip. Indian conglomerates, including Tata and Reliance, along with state-owned giants like Indian Oil, expressed urgent interest in B.C.’s critical minerals.
“The urgency around energy is huge here,” Eby said. “Every company and politician we met is convinced that India will continue to grow at seven or eight percent annually. That means they need dramatic and increased amounts of energy and raw materials.”
For the Skeena region, this interest is direct. Eby highlighted northern B.C. projects—specifically LNG Canada Phase 2in Kitimat and the Ksi Lisims LNG project near Prince Rupert—as primary targets for Indian investment. Indian firms are looking to B.C.’s “lowest-emission” natural gas to help transition their economy away from coal and petroleum.
Kahlon Inks “Silicon Valley” Tech Deal
While the Premier focused on resources, Minister Ravi Kahlon spearheaded a major breakthrough in Bengaluru, known as the “Silicon Valley of India.” Kahlon signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the state government of Karnataka to foster deep collaboration in:
- Life Sciences and Biotech: Sharing research in medical devices and digital health.
- Artificial Intelligence: Leveraging B.C.’s research excellence with India’s massive pool of engineering talent.
- Web Summit Vancouver 2026: Securing a commitment from a major Bengaluru delegation to attend the global tech event in B.C. next year.
“Bengaluru is the tech capital of India,” Kahlon noted. “By building these ties, we are ensuring B.C. businesses have a gateway into the world’s soon-to-be third-largest economy.”
Navigating National Security Tensions
The mission was not without its shadows. The delegation arrived in India just as news broke of an RCMP briefing note alleging links between the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the Indian government—concerns related to the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey.
Eby faced intense scrutiny both at home and abroad, at one point admitting he almost cancelled meetings to review the intelligence. Ultimately, Eby downplayed the document as a “summary of public reports,” a move that drew sharp criticism from the World Sikh Organization, who called the characterization “dangerous.”
Despite the political friction, Eby insisted that B.C. cannot afford to “sit around” while the U.S. trade war erodes the provincial standard of living. “India is going to be a global economic engine,” Eby said. “British Columbians will only benefit from this relationship.”
The “Look West” Impact for the Skeena
For residents in Terrace and Prince Rupert, the India mission is a key pillar of the “Look West” economic plan, which aims to double exports to non-U.S. markets over the next decade. If the “matchmaking” between Indian investors and B.C. resource firms succeeds, it could mean a surge in activity for the Port of Prince Rupert and a more stable future for the Golden Triangle’s mining sector.
