Canada Seeks to Reset Trade Ties, Pitches Itself as Reliable Partner to India

Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has described Ottawa as a “trusted and reliable long-term economic partner” for India, as the two countries push to conclude negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) by the end of the year.

Sidhu made the remarks after meeting India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers’ meeting in Milwaukee on Thursday, according to a statement issued by Global Affairs Canada on Friday.

The meeting came ahead of a major Canadian trade mission to India, which Sidhu will lead later this month.

Canada’s Largest-Ever Trade Mission to India

The Team Canada Trade Mission is scheduled to visit India from October 12 to 16 and will bring nearly 300 Canadian business representatives from key sectors.

According to Sidhu, the delegation will seek to build commercial connections, find new customers and explore opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.

The mission, announced in July, will be Canada’s largest-ever trade delegation to India, matching the scale of a trade mission Sidhu led to Japan in June.

The Canada-India Business Council (C-IBC) is playing a key role in organising the visit.

“This month’s Team Canada Trade Mission to India reflects the strength and promise of the India–Canada relationship,” C-IBC president and CEO Victor Thomas said.

He said the two countries had significant untapped potential in trade and investment, describing the upcoming mission as “the starting line” rather than the finish line.

CEPA Talks Gather Pace

Sidhu and Goyal also discussed progress in negotiations for the CEPA.

Sidhu visited India in September and attended the conclusion of the fourth round of negotiations in Mumbai. The fifth round is scheduled for October 5 to 9.

The Canadian government said the ministers continued efforts to advance bilateral trade and investment priorities, building on their discussions in Mumbai.

Sidhu also stressed the importance of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement by the end of 2026.

The negotiations are being conducted at senior levels, with the fifth round expected to involve secretary-level officials.

Modi-Carney Push for Trade Deal

The renewed CEPA negotiations were announced after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025.

Formal negotiations began during Carney’s first visit to India as prime minister in March this year, when he held talks with Modi in New Delhi.

The two leaders subsequently met in June on the sidelines of the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Evian, France. According to the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office, they expressed satisfaction with progress in the CEPA talks and reaffirmed their commitment to a forward-looking strategic partnership.

Both sides have set the end of the year as the target for completing negotiations.

Modi also indicated during the June meeting that he intended to visit Canada before the end of the year. The proposed visit would be the first by an Indian prime minister to Canada in a decade and is expected to coincide with the signing of the CEPA if negotiations are successfully concluded.

The latest developments signal an effort by both countries to deepen trade and investment ties, with the upcoming Canadian business delegation and the next round of CEPA talks expected to provide further momentum.