India and Canada are intensifying negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment. This development comes as Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu prepares to visit New Delhi in mid-October, following the fifth round of talks scheduled in Canada from October 5.
During his visit, Sidhu is expected to meet with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to address key outstanding issues that require ministerial-level discussions. The discussions aim to conclude the CEPA, which both countries are eager to finalize as soon as possible. The visit will also coincide with a Canadian trade delegation’s trip to India to explore new business and investment opportunities.
India and Canada first initiated CEPA negotiations in March 2016, with four rounds of talks already conducted. The latest discussions took place in New Delhi from September 14 to 18. The proposed agreement seeks to expand bilateral trade significantly, with both nations having recorded $30.4 billion in combined goods and services trade in 2025. They have set an ambitious target to increase this figure to $70 billion by 2030.
The ongoing trade discussions are part of broader efforts to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. India and Canada are focusing on potential cooperation in various sectors, including energy, clean technology, life sciences, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.