What Strategies Are India and Canada Exploring to Boost Bilateral Trade and Investments?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Strengthening bilateral trade is a key focus of the dialogue.
- Canada is committed to diversifying trade relationships.
- Bilateral trade value exceeded $30 billion in 2024.
- Key sectors for collaboration include AI and clean technology.
- The New Roadmap 2025 aims to enhance ties between both nations.
New Delhi, Nov 13 (NationPress) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Maninder Sidhu, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, convened to explore strategies for enhancing bilateral trade and attracting investments, as announced on Thursday.
Sidhu is currently visiting India to seek opportunities to strengthen trade and investment connections between the two nations.
“I was delighted to co-chair the 7th India-Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment as part of the New Roadmap 2025 alongside @MSidhuLiberal, Canada’s Minister of International Trade,” Goyal shared on the X social media platform.
The minister further elaborated that they examined “ways to fortify bilateral trade, encourage investments, and enhance collaboration between our countries.”
During his visit, Sidhu aims to showcase Canada's commitment to nurturing and expanding the well-established commercial relations between Canada and India, particularly in sectors like artificial intelligence, clean technology, and digital industries, while also looking for new partnership opportunities that would benefit both workers and businesses.
“This trip to India will reaffirm Canada’s commitment to diversifying our trade relationships and attracting new investments,” an official statement from Sidhu noted. “As one of the fastest-growing major economies, India presents vast opportunities for Canadian enterprises and labor. Our trade ties continue to grow—bilateral trade exceeded $30 billion in 2024—and even greater potential lies ahead,” the statement added.
India plays a crucial role as Canada strengthens its economic ties within the Indo-Pacific region through a comprehensive regional strategy. In 2024, India ranked as Canada’s seventh-largest trading partner in goods and services, with bilateral trade valued at $30.9 billion.
Simultaneously, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar engaged with his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, to discuss enhancing cooperation across key sectors such as trade, energy, and security. The two leaders met during the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Niagara.
EAM Jaishankar commended the advancements made under the New Roadmap 2025, which aims to bolster bilateral relations between India and Canada, and expressed optimism for a more robust partnership.