Canada, India signal faster progress on proposed free trade agreement

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada and India are moving to accelerate negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement between the two countries. Carney described the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as a potential “game-changer” for Canadian workers and businesses.

The comments came following a meeting in Ottawa with India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who is currently visiting Canada. During the visit, Goyal also met with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu.

Both countries have set a goal of increasing bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030. Officials from Canada and India are aiming to finalize the trade agreement by the end of this year as discussions continue on tariffs, investment rules and market access.

International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu also announced that Canada plans to send a trade mission to New Delhi later this year. Sidhu said Ottawa is working to expand access to roughly $300 billion in trade opportunities outside the United States, with India expected to play a significant role in that strategy.

The proposed agreement is being positioned as part of Canada’s broader effort to diversify export markets and strengthen economic partnerships beyond North America. Further rounds of negotiations are expected in the coming months.