Goa, May 22 -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed Wednesday that Canada is in high-level discussions with the United States about joining President Donald Trump's proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense program-a sweeping $175 billion initiative aimed at countering missile threats through space- and ground-based systems.

The Golden Dome system is designed to intercept missiles at every stage of their trajectory: before launch, during early flight, midcourse, and final descent. Most notably, it would mark the first time U.S. missile defense capabilities are deployed in space. President Trump announced earlier this week that he expects the multilayered system to be fully operational by the end of his current term in 2029.

Prime ...