India and Canada are intensifying their negotiations on a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu scheduled to visit New Delhi in mid-October. This visit is set to follow the fifth round of CEPA negotiations, which are slated to occur in Canada beginning October 5.
During his visit, Sidhu is expected to meet with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. The timing of his visit also aligns with a Canadian trade delegation’s trip to India aimed at exploring new business and investment opportunities. Both countries have made strides on several key issues, although some points require further discussions at the ministerial level to reach a conclusion.
Since the launch of CEPA negotiations in March 2026, four rounds of talks have already been conducted, with the most recent round taking place in New Delhi from September 14 to 18. The proposed agreement seeks to expand bilateral trade and investment, building on the $30.4 billion in combined goods and services trade recorded in 2025. Both governments have set an ambitious goal of increasing bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030.
The renewed discussions are part of broader efforts to strengthen economic ties between India and Canada. Both nations are exploring potential cooperation across various sectors, including energy, clean technology, life sciences, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.