India and Canada are intensifying their efforts to finalize a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with a key visit by Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu to New Delhi scheduled for mid-October. This visit is set to follow the fifth round of CEPA negotiations, which are planned to take place in Canada starting October 5. During his visit, Sidhu will meet with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and the timing will also see a Canadian trade delegation exploring business and investment opportunities in India.
Progress has been made on several important issues within the negotiations, but some matters still require resolution at the ministerial level. Both countries are eager to conclude the agreement promptly, as the proposed CEPA aims to significantly enhance bilateral trade and investment. In 2025, India and Canada recorded a combined goods and services trade of $30.4 billion, and they have set an ambitious target to increase this figure to $70 billion by 2030.
The CEPA negotiations, which began in March 2026, have already gone through four rounds of talks, the most recent of which took place in New Delhi from September 14 to 18. As part of broader efforts to strengthen economic relations, India and Canada are also exploring collaborations in sectors such as energy, clean technology, life sciences, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.
Both nations view the CEPA as a vehicle for deepening economic ties and capitalizing on shared opportunities in various industries. The momentum of the discussions reflects a mutual commitment to fostering a more robust economic partnership, crucial for addressing the evolving global trade landscape.