Canada and India are stepping up efforts to strengthen their economic relationship, with negotiations toward a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) moving forward.

Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu met India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in Mumbai alongside the countries’ chief trade negotiators to discuss trade and investment opportunities. Canada says both sides are working toward concluding the CEPA negotiations by the end of 2026.

The Canadian government is also preparing a Team Canada Trade Mission to India next month, aimed at expanding commercial partnerships and creating opportunities for Canadian businesses.

According to Global Affairs Canada, four rounds of CEPA negotiations have already been completed. Canada is seeking to increase two-way trade with India to C$70 billion annually by 2030, while reducing reliance on individual markets. In 2025, Canada-India merchandise trade reached C$13.6 billion, while trade in goods and services totalled C$30.4 billion.

The next stage of negotiations could become an important part of Canada's broader trade diversification strategy, particularly in sectors including energy, critical minerals, aerospace, artificial intelligence and clean technology.

Canada and India are expected to continue negotiations in the coming months as both governments work toward a potential trade agreement.