India, March 2 -- Canada is once again exploring a formal free-trade agreement with India, Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said, as Prime Minister Mark Carney visits the country in a bid to reset strained diplomatic ties.

In an interview airing Sunday on CTV, Champagne said the federal government is "exploring" a deal and signaled renewed momentum in Ottawa, as reported by CTV News.

Champagne is accompanying Carney on his official visit to India, part of a broader effort to rebuild relations after tensions escalated in 2023.

Speaking separately to CNBC-TV18, Champagne described the visit as "historic," citing shifting global dynamics and what he called a "strategic alignment" of economic interests between the two countries...