New Delhi: India-Canada relations are entering a new and positive phase. Ahead of a key meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg, Canada delivered a significant relief to Indian-origin families living abroad by reforming its citizenship laws.
The Canadian government recently granted Royal Assent to the “Lost Canadians” bill (Bill C-3), a crucial amendment to the Citizenship Act 2025. This law addresses longstanding citizenship challenges faced by thousands of families whose children, born or adopted abroad, were previously unable to obtain Canadian citizenship due to outdated regulations. The Senate passed the bill earlier this week, and formal implementation procedures will now commence.
Canadian Immigration Minister Lena Diab described the new legislation as a measure of justice for those affected by prior rules. “This law will resolve difficulties for families whose children, or who themselves, were born or adopted outside Canada and could not secure citizenship,” she said.
What Does the Bill Change?
Bill C-3 eliminates the so-called “second-generation cut-off” rule established in 2009. Under that law, Canadian citizens born abroad could only pass citizenship to their children if the child was also born in Canada. This created a category of individuals who considered themselves Canadian but were denied formal recognition under the law—commonly referred to as “Lost Canadians.”
With the new bill, affected families—including many of Indian origin—can now directly obtain citizenship for their children or themselves if they were previously impacted by the old regulations. Moreover, any Canadian citizen born or adopted abroad can now pass citizenship to their own children, ensuring the law aligns with the principle of equal rights for expatriate families.
Trade and Strategic Talks Resume
The citizenship reform comes as India and Canada also prepare to restart negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which had stalled in 2023 after initial progress in sectors like pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, tourism, green energy, and mining. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that both countries aim to boost bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030, opening doors for greater investment, job creation, technology exchange, and strategic cooperation.
Additionally, India and Canada plan to strengthen civil nuclear collaboration, including discussions on long-term uranium supply agreements—an area of strategic importance for both nations.
The new Canadian law has been widely welcomed by Indian families, marking a historic step in citizenship rights, while the renewed CEPA talks signal a fresh chapter in India-Canada economic and strategic relations.
