Investments in capital from Canada to India have risen over the last few years despite numerous disputes and disagreements between India and Canada. Canadian investments totalled $57 billion in 2024, and half of it coming from the period between 2018 and 24. The first quarter in 2024 saw Canadian Foreign direct investments into India increased to $7.7 billion, which is more than twice the $3.3 that was received in 2023. There are more than 600 Canadian businesses operating in a variety of industries in India which include manufacturing, IT finance, healthcare infrastructure, energy and infrastructure development. It is the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber is actively engaged in taking actions to increase business cooperation among India and Canada as well as to strengthen cooperation between both nations. Although Canada isn’t one of the top investors in Indian economy, it’s businesses are increasing their presence in India. Let’s take a look at the top ten Canadian companies operating in India in 2026.
Top 10 Leading Canadian Companies in India
1. Apotex Pharmachem
Apotex Pharmacem, founded in 1974 was an Canadian multinational pharmaceutical corporation that engages in the production of biosimilar, generic and branded pharmaceuticals, as well as healthcare products that are used by consumers. The company made its debut in India in 2003 through the creation of its subsidiary company, Apotex Pharmachem India Private Limited. AP India is engaged in the production of pharmaceuticals to treat multiple health issues like digestive problems, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, as well as viral diseases, and more.
Apotex Pharmachem India manufactures finished dosages as well as active pharmaceutical ingredients, also known as APIs. The manufacturing facilities are located at Bangalore in India and Mumbai.
2. Sunlife Financial Inc.
Sunlife Financial Inc., founded in 1865 is an Canadian multinational company in financial services that specializes in financial planning, insurance and investment management, retirement savings and mutual funds. Sunlife Financial Inc. holds a 49% of their joint venture Indian Corporate House Aditya Birla Group, named Aditya Birla Sunlife Insurance Company Limited that was founded in 2000.
ABSLI offers a variety of services, such as unit-linked insurance plans and wealth protection plans. health insurance solutions for retirement and pensions as well as children’s future plans and much more. ABSLI has over 340 branch locations in India and more than 49,000 direct selling representatives and brokers.
3. Air Canada
Air Canada, founded in 1937 is now the most significant airline in Canada according to passengers flown and size of operations. The airline began operations in India in 2004 when it started flights in the region between New Delhi and Toronto. In the past, Air Canada has expanded its routes and increased its frequencies in India. It is currently operating on several routes including Delhi-Toronto and Ahmedabad-Vancouver. Kolkata-Toronto and many more.
Air Canada halted its India operations in 2007 before resuming the operation in 2015. In the month of October 2024, Air Canada introduced daily flights from Delhi to Western Canada via London Heathrow.
4. CGI Inc.
CGI Inc., founded in 1976 CGI Inc., founded in 1976, is an Canadian multinational company that specialises in business and IT outsourcing and consulting, in addition to software development. CGI Inc. entered India in 1996, with the opening of their first Indian office located in Bangalore. CGI India provides a number of solutions and services which include IT outsourcing business consulting, business process services including business development and enterprise software for resource planning, as well as payment integrity solutions.
CGI India has multiple global delivery centers in India. They are situated at Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai.
5. McCain Foods Limited
McCain Foods Limited, founded in 1957 was an Canadian multinational company that manufactures frozen foods with a focus on French fries appetizers, oven meals, and potato dishes. The company has been operating in India from 1998, through its subsidiary McCain Foods India. McCain Foods India has launched several products on Indian markets. Indian market, such as fries, aloo tikki, smiles mini cheese samosas cheese bites and veggie fingers.
McCain Foods India operates a manufacturing plant in Mehsana located in Gujarat. The company is famous for its use of locally grown potatoes for its products.
6. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board founded in 1997 was an Canadian state-owned company that manages and invests funds of the 18 million participants and beneficiaries from the Canada Pension Plan. CPPIB has invested in India since 2010, and established the initial India headquarters in Mumbai in the year 2015.
CPPIB invests in various sectors of India that include real estate, infrastructure, as well as financial service. It holds shares of several Indian companies, including Kotak Mahindra, L&T Infrastructure, Piramal Enterprises and more.
7. IBI Group Inc.
IBI Group Inc., founded in 1974 was an Canadian company in the field of architecture, engineering planning, consulting, and technology firm that has an international presence across 12 countries across the globe. The company began operations in India in 2006 through the creation of its subsidiary company, IBI Group India Private Limited. IBI Group India provides infrastructure execution and planning services as well as technical assistance. It is a company with an office within Gurgaon, Haryana.
8. Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters, founded in 2008 following an amalgamation of Reuters Group and Thomson Corporation is an Canadian multi-national information and technological firm that specializes in data, news and analytics for business as well as professionals from various different sectors. Thomson Reuters has been present in India since 1851, when Reuters Group opened its office in Mumbai. Thomson Reuters provides news from India to media outlets around the world. Thomson Reuters provides specialized equipment and services for many fields, including accounting, taxation, and law.
9. Scotia Bank
Scotia Bank, established in the year 1832 It is an Canadian international banking and financial services company. It is one of the five biggest banking institutions of Canada. Scotia Bank began its journey into India in 1983, with the opening of an office representative in Mumbai. Scotia Bank provides a broad variety of products and services to India which include personal banking, corporate banking and foreign exchange, as well as investment banking and trade finance. Scotia Bank has locations situated in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.
10. LEA Group
LEA Group, founded in 1953 was an Canadian multinational company that provides consultancy and advisory services for global infrastructure projects such as highways, roads, buildings and transportation infrastructure. The company’s subsidiary, LEA Associates South Asia Private Limited founded in 1993, is located in India but is also the center operation for Asia, Africa and Middle East. LEA India provides consulting services for infrastructure development projects. It has also been involved on projects that are funded by international organizations like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
Conclusion
The top Canadian companies play an important part to the Indian economy, investing in capital and generating jobs. With the help of new innovations and expansions, Canadian companies are set to increase their position in India.
