Canada and India are pressing ahead with negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), stepping up efforts to conclude a deal before the end of 2026 after the fifth round of talks concluded in Ottawa from 5 to 9 October. The push comes as both governments seek to translate improving diplomatic ties into binding commercial commitments.

Ministerial Engagement

Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu met Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi this week, according to a statement issued by Global Affairs Canada on Tuesday, 14 October. The encounter was the ninth meeting between the two ministers since May 2025, underscoring the sustained pace of engagement at the ministerial level.

The bilateral discussion took place on the sidelines of the Team Canada Trade Mission to India, which has brought nearly 300 Canadian business delegates to Mumbai and Bengaluru between 12 and 17 October — described by Ottawa as Canada's largest trade delegation to India in more than three decades.

What the Two Sides Said

Global Affairs Canada stated: 'The two countries are intensifying their efforts to conclude a mutually beneficial agreement.' The statement, however, did not disclose the outstanding differences between the two negotiating teams or announce a date for the sixth round of talks.

Minister Sidhu thanked Goyal for supporting the Canadian trade mission, which is designed to connect businesses from both countries and catalyse commercial agreements. The latest ministerial push follows discussions the two ministers held at the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting in Milwaukee earlier this month.

The $70 Billion Trade Target

Ottawa has set an ambitious goal of increasing annual two-way trade with India to $70 billion by 2030 — more than double the $30.4 billion in goods and services exchanged between the two countries in 2025. Canada's merchandise exports to India stood at $3.9 billion last year, led by vegetables, mineral fuels and oils, and wood pulp. India's exports to Canada reached $9.7 billion, with precious stones and metals, machinery, and pharmaceutical products among the top categories.

Canadian businesses attending the mission are exploring opportunities in sectors including energy, critical minerals, aerospace, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. Ottawa confirmed that the commercial engagement supports Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy and its objective of substantially diversifying exports away from the United States.

Diplomatic Context

The intensified trade push is unfolding against a backdrop of careful diplomatic rebuilding. Relations between New Delhi and Ottawa passed through a prolonged period of strain in recent years, and economic cooperation has emerged as a key vehicle for normalisation — with both governments seeking to expand business links alongside parallel discussions on security and law enforcement matters.

For India, a concluded CEPA could widen access to Canadian markets while deepening cooperation in energy, critical minerals, and technology — sectors that align closely with New Delhi's strategic priorities. Notably, this is the fifth such formal round; the previous four were aimed at narrowing differences and establishing a common framework.

What Comes Next

With no date confirmed for the sixth round, the trajectory of negotiations will be watched closely. The year-end deadline both governments appear to be working toward leaves a narrow window, and the absence of detail on unresolved issues suggests the harder bargaining lies ahead. Industry observers in both countries will be tracking whether the ministerial momentum translates into a finalised framework in the coming weeks.