In Ottawa, Mark Carney has hailed a potential free trade deal with India as a transformative opportunity during discussions with India’s commerce minister, Piyush Goyal. The talks focused on advancing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with both officials hopeful of concluding the agreement by the end of the year. Carney highlighted that the deal could unlock significant prospects for Canadian industries, particularly in energy, agriculture, technology, and education.
Goyal brought greetings from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and emphasized that their discussions aimed to enhance long-term bilateral ties and expedite trade negotiations. Canada’s international trade minister, Maninder Sidhu, also participated in the discussions. Both nations confirmed that they have completed two rounds of negotiations, and Canada is scheduled to host the next round.
Accompanying Goyal on his visit to Canada is a substantial business delegation from India, with over 100 business representatives engaging in trade and investment discussions planned in Toronto. Goyal’s itinerary also included meetings with Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand and agriculture minister Heath MacDonald, part of efforts to deepen collaboration across various sectors.
This renewed momentum in trade talks signifies a notable improvement in India-Canada relations, which had become strained in 2023 following allegations concerning the killing of Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, accusations that India had dismissed when made by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Relations began to mend after Carney assumed office in 2025, leading to revived diplomatic efforts and the resumption of CEPA negotiations.