As India and Canada intensify their negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is set to visit New Delhi in mid-October. This visit is aligned with the fifth round of CEPA negotiations, which are scheduled to occur in Canada starting October 5. Sidhu is expected to engage in discussions with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to address lingering issues that require resolution at the ministerial level.
The upcoming visit also coincides with a Canadian trade delegation traveling to India, aiming to explore business and investment opportunities. Both nations have made significant progress on several key aspects of the proposed trade agreement, which seeks to bolster bilateral trade and investment ties. The urgency to finalize the agreement stems from a mutual desire to strengthen economic relations and expand cooperation in critical sectors such as energy, clean technology, life sciences, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.
India and Canada initially launched CEPA negotiations in March 2026. Since then, four rounds of discussions have taken place, with the most recent round occurring in New Delhi from September 14 to 18. The proposed agreement is envisioned as a means to enhance the economic partnership between the two countries, building on the $30.4 billion in combined goods and services trade recorded in 2025. Both governments have set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030.
The renewed focus on CEPA negotiations underscores the commitment of both India and Canada to deepen their economic ties. As discussions advance, both countries remain optimistic about overcoming the remaining challenges and concluding the agreement promptly, thereby paving the way for enhanced trade and investment flows.