India and Canada are intensifying their efforts to negotiate a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu prepares to visit New Delhi in mid-October. This visit will follow the fifth round of CEPA negotiations, which are scheduled to occur in Canada starting October 5.
During his visit, Sidhu is expected to meet with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to address unresolved issues that require ministerial-level discussions. Concurrently, a Canadian trade delegation will travel to India to explore potential business and investment opportunities, underlining the mutual interest in strengthening economic ties.
The negotiations, which began in March 2026, have already seen four rounds, with the most recent taking place in New Delhi from September 14 to 18. Both nations aim to finalize the agreement promptly to enhance bilateral trade and investment. In 2025, India and Canada recorded $30.4 billion in combined trade of goods and services, with a shared goal of increasing this figure to $70 billion by 2030.
The proposed CEPA is part of broader efforts to fortify economic relations between India and Canada. Both countries are seeking to collaborate in several sectors, including energy, clean technology, life sciences, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, which are seen as key areas for potential growth and cooperation.