Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu on Thursday, 1 October 2026, declared that Canada wants to be an active partner in India's economic expansion, identifying energy, critical minerals, and aerospace as the three pillars of a deepening bilateral relationship. Sidhu made the remarks on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting in Milwaukee.

Energy at the Centre of the Partnership

Sidhu pointed to India's rapidly rising energy appetite as an immediate opportunity. 'India is growing at 7 per cent year over year. India requires 70 per cent more energy by 2035. We have that energy in Canada,' he told reporters. The Canadian minister added that his country is expanding its liquefied natural gas capacity at pace and expects to rank among the world's top five LNG exporters within the next five years, with more than a handful of LNG projects currently in various phases of development.

Critical Minerals and the EV Supply Chain

Beyond energy, Sidhu highlighted critical minerals as a strategically vital area, particularly as India scales up its automobile sector and eyes a stronger supply chain for electric vehicles and batteries. 'India has a growing auto sector and for EVs and batteries, Canada is the only country in the Western hemisphere that has every single element to make an electric battery,' he said, underscoring what he described as a natural complementarity. India's ongoing effort to diversify mineral supply chains — reducing dependence on a single source — aligns with Canada's positioning as a stable, Western-aligned supplier of these materials.

Investment Flows and the Toronto Summit

Sidhu also pointed to investment as a two-way street. A recent investment summit in Toronto, he said, drew Indian investors alongside roughly 100 asset managers collectively overseeing approximately USD 130 trillion in assets. According to the minister, the event generated approximately USD 500 billion in commitments. He added that Canada actively welcomes Indian companies to invest in Canadian mining and energy projects, framing the relationship as one of mutual growth rather than one-sided export.

Trade Negotiations Gaining Pace

Sidhu visited India approximately 10 days before the Milwaukee meeting, where he held talks with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in Mumbai. The two countries are currently negotiating a bilateral trade agreement, with the fifth round of negotiations scheduled to begin in Ottawa on Monday. The minister was measured about details, saying the two sides do not negotiate through the media, but identified collaboration on energy, minerals, aerospace, research, and investment as the broad framework both governments are working within.

What This Signals for India-Canada Ties

India and Canada have been quietly rebuilding their economic engagement alongside renewed high-level political contacts after a period of diplomatic strain. The pace of trade negotiations has picked up as both countries look to expand market access and strengthen investment ties. Notably, Sidhu's framing — 'as India builds, Canada wants to be there to help build India as well' — suggests Ottawa is repositioning itself as a long-term strategic economic partner rather than merely a trading counterpart. The next round of trade talks in Ottawa will offer the first concrete test of whether the political momentum can translate into a substantive agreement.