India and Canada are intensifying their efforts to finalize a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu scheduled to visit New Delhi in mid-October. This visit is set to follow the fifth round of negotiations on the CEPA, which will occur in Canada starting October 5. During his visit, Sidhu is expected to meet Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to address outstanding issues that require ministerial discussions.
The discussions are part of a broader effort to boost economic ties between the two countries, with a Canadian trade delegation also planning to visit India to explore potential business and investment opportunities. The ongoing negotiations follow four previous rounds, the most recent of which took place in New Delhi from September 14 to 18.
The proposed CEPA aims to significantly enhance bilateral trade and investment between India and Canada, which recorded a combined trade value of $30.4 billion in goods and services in 2025. Both governments have set an ambitious target to increase this figure to $70 billion by 2030. The agreement seeks to open up new avenues for cooperation in various sectors, including energy, clean technology, life sciences, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.
Talks between Indian and Canadian officials have yielded progress on several key issues, though some matters remain unresolved and require high-level discussions. Both nations are eager to conclude the agreement promptly to strengthen their economic relationship further.
This renewed focus on trade comes as India and Canada strive to fortify their economic ties beyond the CEPA. As part of this effort, they are considering collaborations in strategic sectors to foster innovation and growth, reflecting a shared commitment to enhancing their partnership in the global economic landscape.