New Delhi: Negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Canada have intensified. Both nations are striving to finalize a mutually beneficial agreement before the end of the year. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Global Affairs Canada announced that Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, met with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi this week. The meeting took place during the ‘Team Canada’ trade mission to India.
CEPA Discussions and Review of Progress
Building on the fifth round of negotiations held in Ottawa from October 5 to 9, the ministers reviewed progress on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). According to Global Affairs Canada, both countries are intensifying efforts to finalise a mutually beneficial agreement by the end of 2026. The statement did not specify a date for the next round of negotiations.
Canada’s Largest Trade Mission in Three Decades
Sidhu thanked Goyal for supporting the trade mission, which runs from October 12 to 17 and comprises around 300 delegates. It is the largest Canadian trade delegation to visit India in more than three decades. The delegation is exploring investment opportunities and commercial partnerships in Mumbai and Bengaluru, with Canadian companies focusing on sectors such as energy, critical minerals, aerospace, artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced manufacturing.
Trade Targets and Strategic Significance
According to the Canadian government, the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is intended to support Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and diversify its export markets beyond the United States. Canada aims to increase annual bilateral trade in goods and services with India to CAD 70 billion by 2030, more than double the CAD 30.4 billion recorded in 2025. For India, the agreement could create opportunities to improve access to the Canadian market and strengthen cooperation in strategic sectors such as energy, critical minerals and technology.
Canada–India Trade: Key Figures for 2025
In 2025, Canada’s merchandise exports to India totalled CAD 3.9 billion, while its merchandise imports from India stood at CAD 9.7 billion. Canada’s major exports included vegetables, mineral fuels and oils, and wood pulp, while imports from India included precious stones and metals, machinery, and pharmaceutical products. The CEPA negotiations form part of broader efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, with trade and economic cooperation playing an important role.
(DD News)
