India and Canada are intensifying their efforts to finalize a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu’s visit to New Delhi scheduled for mid-October. This visit is set to follow the fifth round of CEPA negotiations, which will be held in Canada starting October 5. Sidhu’s agenda includes discussions with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, aiming to address outstanding issues at the ministerial level.
The CEPA discussions, initially launched in March 2026, have seen four rounds of talks, the latest of which took place in New Delhi from September 14 to 18. Both nations are keen to expand their bilateral trade and investment, building on the $30.4 billion combined goods and services trade recorded in 2025. With a shared goal of increasing bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030, the completion of the agreement is a priority for both governments.
Sidhu’s visit is expected to coincide with a Canadian trade delegation’s journey to India, where they will explore potential business and investment opportunities. Progress has been made on several key issues, but remaining matters still require high-level discussions, underscoring the importance of Sidhu’s upcoming meetings in India.
Beyond the CEPA, India and Canada are working on enhancing their economic relations more broadly. Areas of potential cooperation include sectors such as energy, clean technology, life sciences, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. These efforts indicate a mutual interest in fostering stronger economic ties and collaboration across various industries.