B.C. India trade mission 2026
NEW DELHI / SKEENA REGION — British Columbia has officially launched a high-stakes diplomatic and economic offensive in India, with Premier David Eby and Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon landing in New Delhi on Monday to begin a six-day mission. The goal is clear: to secure a massive slice of India’s booming economy and shield B.C.’s resource sectors from the volatility of U.S. trade policy.
The mission represents a critical step in B.C.’s target to attract $200 billion in investment over the next decade. Speaking from New Delhi, Premier Eby emphasized that the “unjustified tariffs” from the Trump administration have made it “more important than ever to deepen strategic relationships with international partners.”
LNG and Energy: The $200 Billion Ambition
A primary pillar of the mission is the expansion of B.C.’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector. Eby highlighted that the province currently has six facilities that are either online, coming online, or reaching a final investment decision within the next year.
In a significant move for the energy sector, the B.C. delegation has already held meetings with the state-run oil major Indian Oil (IOC). As the world’s third-highest energy consumer, India represents a massive potential customer for LNG produced in the Skeena and North Coast regions.
Forestry: Finding New Markets for Northern Wood
The mission is also a rescue operation for B.C.’s embattled forestry sector. With softwood lumber exports to the U.S. crippled by tariffs, B.C. is aggressively courting India’s rapidly growing construction and furniture markets.
Minister Ravi Kahlon has been vocal about the need to diversify wood exports. By positioning B.C. lumber as a sustainable, high-quality solution for India’s massive infrastructure projects, the province hopes to offset the job losses and mill closures that have plagued the B.C. interior in recent months.
Critical Minerals and Tech
Beyond energy and wood, the delegation is exploring collaborations in critical minerals—essential for India’s transition to green energy and tech manufacturing—as well as life sciences and digital technology. The trip includes stops in:
- New Delhi: Federal policy and energy cooperation.
- Mumbai: Finance and corporate investment.
- Chandigarh: Cultural ties and agricultural tech.
- Bangalore: Innovation and the tech sector.
Navigating a Diplomatic Thaw
This mission marks the first major subnational engagement since a two-year freeze in trade negotiations followed the 2023 killing of a Canadian Sikh activist. Both B.C. and India appear eager to move past political friction to address shared economic challenges, specifically the impact of global tariffs.
Premier Eby’s visit is expected to be a precursor to an official visit by Prime Minister Mark Carney, signaling a coordinated federal-provincial effort to rebuild Canada-India commercial ties.
Skeena News Analysis: For the Northwest, this mission is a vital lifeline. If Minister Kahlon and Premier Eby can successfully pivot B.C. resources toward India, it could mean long-term stability for the ports in Prince Rupert and the emerging mining and LNG hubs in Terrace and Kitimat.
