New Delhi: Canada is leading its largest trade delegation to India in more than 30 years, with nearly 300 business delegates exploring partnership opportunities across key sectors as both countries seek to deepen economic ties and advance negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu said the Team Canada Trade Mission would focus on aerospace, clean energy, technology, life sciences, agri-food and forestry, connecting Canadian businesses with opportunities in India’s expanding market.
In a post on X, Sidhu said the mission aimed to build new partnerships and create opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses. He also highlighted the ongoing CEPA negotiations, which both countries are targeting to conclude by the end of 2026.
Canada has set a target of more than doubling bilateral trade with India to 70 billion US dollars by 2030, from around 30 billion dollars. According to the Canadian government, bilateral trade between the two countries reached 30.4 billion dollars in 2025, including 11 billion dollars in goods.
The trade mission comes as the two countries seek to broaden commercial engagement and identify opportunities for investment across manufacturing, technology, energy and agriculture.
The fifth round of CEPA negotiations began in Ottawa earlier this month, with energy, critical minerals and aerospace emerging as important areas of cooperation. The discussions follow earlier engagements between Sidhu and Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers Meeting.
Anita Anand to Meet Jaishankar
Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand is visiting India from October 13 to 16 as part of a two-nation tour that also includes the United Arab Emirates.
During her visit to New Delhi, Anand is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to advance cooperation under the bilateral roadmap, with discussions expected to cover trade, energy, people-to-people ties, and security and defence.
According to a release issued by the Canadian government, the meeting will focus on advancing shared priorities and strengthening bilateral engagement. It will be the 11th meeting between the two ministers since September 2025.
Anand’s visit comes amid renewed efforts by both countries to strengthen economic relations and advance negotiations on the proposed CEPA.
Cooperation Across Key Sectors
The proposed trade agreement is intended to expand market access and create opportunities for businesses and workers in both countries. The ongoing trade mission is expected to help Canadian companies identify potential partners, reach new customers and explore investment opportunities in India.
Following her India visit, Anand will travel to the UAE, where she is scheduled to meet Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with senior government and business leaders.
The discussions in the UAE will focus on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in trade, defence and security, artificial intelligence, innovation and people-to-people ties.
India and Canada share nearly 80 years of diplomatic relations, alongside established people-to-people connections. The latest diplomatic engagements and trade mission come as both countries seek to expand commercial partnerships and strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.
[DD News]