PM Modi: Delightful Moment: Very happy to see Canada playing in T20 WC in India

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney participated in the India-Canada CEOs’ Forum on Monday, where the former drew parallels between cricket and the two countries’ relations, stating that he was elated to see the Canadian cricket team participate in the T20 World Cup being held in India.

PM Modi held bilateral talks with Carney as the two leaders look to reset India-Canada ties strained since the 2023 diplomatic row over Khalistani separatist activities.

India-Canada CEOs’ Forum and diplomatic reset

Speaking at the Forum, PM Modi said in his address, “Some of you must surely be watching cricket. It made all of us very happy to see Canada playing in the T20 World Cup being held in India. Just like in T20 cricket; with fast decisions, fearless strokes, and match-winning partnerships, India and Canada will shape the future together. With this resolve, I invite all of you to join India’s journey of development.”

The remarks came at a crucial time when both nations are attempting to stabilise and strengthen diplomatic and economic engagement. The India-Canada CEOs’ Forum served as a platform to bring together top business leaders from both countries, highlighting investment opportunities, innovation partnerships, and economic cooperation. By invoking cricket — a sport deeply followed in India and steadily growing in Canada — PM Modi sought to create a symbolic bridge between diplomacy and people-to-people ties.

Canada’s participation in the T20 World Cup

Canada participated in their second T20 World Cup this year, having finished fourth in the group stage in their inaugural appearance in 2024. Their presence in the tournament marked a significant milestone for the growth of cricket in North America, particularly in Canada, where the sport is expanding within multicultural communities.

Canada endured a difficult campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, exiting at the group stage after four defeats in a demanding Group D. Drawn alongside heavyweights such as South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan, as well as the United Arab Emirates, Canada struggled to find winning momentum despite flashes of promise.

They opened with a 57-run loss to South Africa before suffering a narrow five-wicket defeat to the United Arab Emirates in a contest that went down to the final over. An eight-wicket loss to New Zealand followed, while Afghanistan sealed their campaign with an 82-run victory.

Challenging campaign but growing global presence

Although Canada showed fighting spirit with the bat in patches, inconsistency with both bat and ball proved costly, as they finished bottom of the group and missed out on a place in the Super Eights. Despite the results, their qualification and participation reflected the expanding footprint of the T20 format across emerging cricketing nations.

PM Modi’s reference to Canada’s presence in the T20 World Cup being held in India underscored how sports can transcend political strains and create shared moments of optimism. By comparing cricket’s fast-paced decision-making and teamwork to bilateral cooperation, he projected a forward-looking vision of India-Canada relations.

The bilateral talks between PM Modi and Mark Carney also focused on rebuilding trust and enhancing collaboration in trade, technology, education, and clean energy. The leaders signaled intent to move beyond past tensions and explore mutually beneficial partnerships.

Cricket, in this context, became more than just a sport. It symbolised resilience, renewed engagement, and the possibility of fresh beginnings. The Canadian team’s journey, though challenging on the field, mirrored the broader diplomatic journey — marked by obstacles but driven by determination.

As India continues to host major international sporting events and position itself as a global hub, the participation of teams like Canada reflects the inclusive spirit of world cricket. PM Modi’s enthusiastic remarks added a positive diplomatic tone, reinforcing the idea that sports diplomacy can complement formal negotiations and business dialogue.

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