New Delhi, Oct. 23 -- India has invited Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to New Delhi for talks with Prime Minister Modi early next year, a move that could pave the way for a comprehensive economic and free-trade partnership, The Globe and Mail Canada reported.

Dinesh Kumar Patnaik, India's new High Commissioner to Canada, told The Globe and Mail that both countries are making a "sincere effort" to repair strained diplomatic relations and focus on trade and investment amid ongoing tariff tensions with the United States.

"Bilateral trade could exceed $50 billion annually if a far-reaching deal is reached, he said. "We want an early visit of the Prime Minister to India," Patnaik said. "It is a relationship we do not want to go downhill...