Ravi Kahlon
Bengaluru: British Columbia (BC), Canada, is keen on increasing bilateral trade with India and exporting natural gas and sustainable materials like timber to the country, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, Ravi Kahlon said.
“We have initiated dialogue with India after a gap of two years and are very much keen on partnering with the country across various sectors like technology, education, clean technology, mining, and critical minerals. We are in India to explore opportunities and understand first hand what the country needs from us and what we can take from them,” Kahlon added.
Kahlon is visiting India from January 12-17, 2026, as part of the trade mission led by Premier David Eby to promote BC’s businesses, critical minerals and sustainable wood products.
Kahlon, whose parents hail from Punjab, said he was excited to visit Bengaluru for the first time and is looking forward to inviting technology companies from the Karnataka capital to explore partnerships within BC.
Stating that British Columbia is the 12th largest natural gas producer with substantial reserves, Kahlon said it is looking to export natural gas to India and meet its growing requirements for sustainable energy. The Canadian province recently commissioned its first export terminal which will be used to export natural gas to Asia, including India. “We can send our shipments to India in 8-10 days,” he said.
Rare earth elements
BC has one the cleanest, inclusive, and most responsible natural gas industries in the world and is getting big projects done. Earlier this year, the first shipments of liquefied natural gas were sent from LNG Canada to Asia. Since that point, over 25 cargoes have been shipped from the facility and as the second train commences operations, the frequency of shipments is expected to increase, he said.
The country generates 98 per cent of its electricity from clean or renewable sources.
Kahlon said BC also possesses rich deposits of metals and materials that the world needs – like nickel, copper, molybdenum, rare earth elements, gold, silver, and metallurgical coal. It is looking at opportunities to export them. It is also a global leader in sustainable forestry, with certified wood products that offer quality, durability, and environmental responsibility.
As India’s furniture industry grows for both domestic and export markets, BC wood can help manufacturers meet demand with high-quality, reliable, and sustainable materials, he added.