Highlights:
- Piyush Goyal led a delegation of over 100 Indian companies.
- Canada PM Mark Carney called CEPA a “game changer.”
- India and Canada aim to conclude CEPA by end of 2026.
- Talks focused on trade, agriculture, technology, and investment.
- Both nations target bilateral trade of USD 50 billion by 2030.
Indian commerce minister Piyush Goyal arrived in Ottawa, Canada, leading the largest-ever Indian business delegation to the country. The delegation includes industry leaders from more than 100 companies and marks a major step in reviving India-Canada economic relations.
The three-day visit includes meetings in Ottawa on Monday (25) and programs in Toronto from Tuesday (26) to Wednesday (27). The visit focuses on boosting bilateral trade and economic ties, with special attention on accelerating negotiations for the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
During the first day of the visit in Ottawa, Goyal held several high-level meetings with senior Canadian leaders and ministers. The discussions focused on trade, investment, technology, agriculture, and strategic cooperation.
Goyal met Canadian prime minister Mark Carney and conveyed greetings from Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. He also recalled Carney’s recent visit to India, saying it brought fresh momentum and renewed confidence to India-Canada ties.
Both sides discussed ways to deepen cooperation in several sectors and expressed optimism about the early conclusion of the India-Canada CEPA.
Prime Minister Carney said the proposed free trade agreement with India would be a “game changer,” adding that it would unlock a massive new market. India and Canada reaffirmed their commitment to a balanced, ambitious, and commercially meaningful CEPA.
Both countries directed their teams to continue working toward an agreement that strengthens economic partnerships and benefits businesses and citizens in both nations.
Goyal also held bilateral talks with Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu. The two ministers reviewed the progress made in CEPA negotiations and discussed future opportunities to expand trade and investment between the countries.
Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to conclude a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement by the end of 2026.
The proposed CEPA is expected to strengthen economic ties and create benefits for businesses and citizens in both countries.
In another meeting, Goyal met Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald. Their discussions focused on cooperation in agriculture, food security, sustainability, and agri-technology.
Both sides explored opportunities in the food processing sector and discussed ways to strengthen agricultural cooperation. Officials said such collaboration could help increase the incomes of Indian farmers and producers while improving agricultural integration between the two countries.
Goyal also held talks with Canada’s foreign minister Anita Anand. During the meeting, he stressed the importance of trade, investment, and technology partnerships in strengthening the India-Canada strategic relationship.
The minister highlighted India’s growing infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, digital infrastructure, and consumer sectors as key areas for future cooperation and long-term Canadian investment.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral ties across economic and strategic sectors.
The first day of the visit ended with a reception hosted by Canada’s minister of international trade, Maninder Sidhu. During the event, Goyal spoke about India’s economic growth and expanding market opportunities.
He said India’s growth is being driven by the aspirations of its people, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, a skilled talent pool, and growing business opportunities.
Goyal also highlighted the role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties between India and Canada.
From May 26 to 27, Goyal and the Indian delegation will participate in industry roundtables and business-to-business meetings in Toronto. The goal is to turn ministerial-level commitments into concrete commercial partnerships across major sectors.
The visit follows discussions between Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and prime minister Mark Carney during Carney’s visit to New Delhi in March 2026. It also builds on continued high-level engagement between the two countries since mid-2025.
CEPA negotiations have progressed quickly since both countries signed the Terms of Reference in March 2025. The first round of virtual talks took place in March 2026, followed by a second round that ended on May 8, 2026.
Another round of technical negotiations is currently underway in Ottawa from May 25 to 29 alongside Goyal’s visit.
The Indian delegation includes representatives from sectors such as energy, mining, automotive goods, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, leather, and textiles.
India and Canada currently have bilateral trade worth about $8.5 billion. Both governments have set a target to increase this figure to $50 billion by 2030.
