India and Canada have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral trade and investment relations, with both countries aiming to conclude negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of this year.
The commitment was highlighted during high-level discussions between India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Canada’s Minister Sidhu, as the two sides explored ways to enhance economic cooperation and commercial engagement across multiple sectors.
During the meeting, Minister Sidhu welcomed Minister Goyal along with what was described as the largest Indian delegation ever sent abroad for such engagements. The discussions focused on expanding collaboration in sectors where both countries see significant growth opportunities, including clean energy, critical minerals, agri-food, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, and skills development.
Both ministers stressed that the proposed CEPA would play a vital role in improving market access, strengthening resilient supply chains, and supporting sustainable two-way economic growth. They reiterated their shared objective of finalizing the agreement within the current year, reflecting renewed momentum in India-Canada economic relations.
As part of efforts to institutionalize business cooperation, the ministers jointly launched the Canada-India Trade and Investment Forum. The forum is expected to serve as a platform connecting business leaders from both countries and encouraging new partnerships, investments, and commercial collaborations.
The leaders also emphasized the importance of improving connectivity between India and Canada to facilitate stronger trade ties. Discussions highlighted the need for greater people-to-people exchanges, smoother business mobility, and enhanced direct commercial linkages to support long-term economic engagement.
In a significant announcement, Minister Sidhu confirmed that Canada will lead a “Team Canada” Trade Mission to India later this year. The initiative is aimed at encouraging Canadian companies to expand their presence in the Indian market and explore emerging opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
The two countries further agreed to encourage long-term and high-quality investments in priority sectors while supporting deeper cooperation between businesses, innovators, and institutional partners. Both sides committed to maintaining regular dialogue and working toward concrete outcomes in the coming months.
The latest engagement signals a renewed push by India and Canada to rebuild and strengthen economic ties through trade, investment, and strategic collaboration, despite recent diplomatic challenges between the two nations. Analysts believe that progress on the CEPA negotiations and increased business engagement could open new opportunities for industries and investors in both countries.
India and Canada have historically shared strong economic relations, with bilateral trade covering sectors such as energy, agriculture, education, technology, and infrastructure. The renewed focus on collaboration is expected to further boost investor confidence and expand opportunities for businesses operating across both markets.
