In a recent meeting held in Ottawa, Mark Carney hailed the prospect of a free trade agreement with India as a transformative opportunity. During discussions with India’s commerce minister, Piyush Goyal, Carney emphasized the potential benefits of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) for Canadian sectors such as energy, agriculture, technology, and education. Both leaders expressed optimism about concluding the agreement within the year, which could significantly boost opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses.
The talks between Carney and Goyal also included Canada’s international trade minister, Maninder Sidhu, highlighting the collaborative effort to advance trade negotiations. With two rounds of negotiations already completed, Canada is poised to host the next round. Goyal conveyed greetings from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and underscored the importance of strengthening long-term bilateral cooperation between the two countries. A large delegation of more than 100 Indian business representatives is accompanying Goyal, engaging in trade and investment discussions in Toronto.
Efforts to deepen cooperation across various sectors were further bolstered by meetings between Goyal, Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand, and agriculture minister Heath MacDonald. This renewed momentum in India-Canada relations represents a noteworthy shift following the tensions that arose in 2023 over accusations related to the killing of Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, which India had refuted. The allegations had strained relations between the two nations during the tenure of former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Since Mark Carney took office in 2025, diplomatic engagement between Canada and India has been revitalized, leading to the relaunch of CEPA negotiations. This fresh diplomatic approach appears to be paving the way for stronger bilateral ties, with both nations eager to finalize the trade agreement that promises to open up significant economic opportunities and strengthen mutual cooperation.