Sitharaman to Visit Canada, US for G20 Finance Talks

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman begins a nine-day Canada-US visit to strengthen trade and investment ties, advance the India-Canada CEPA, engage global investors and represent India at the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting.

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman begins a nine-day official visit to Canada and the United States from August 25 to September 2, 2026, with the agenda focused on strengthening bilateral partnerships, attracting investment and advancing cooperation on global financial priorities.

The first leg of the visit takes Sitharaman to Toronto, where she co-chairs the inaugural Economic and Financial Dialogue with Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne. Discussions cover macroeconomic developments, financial-sector cooperation and investment opportunities in areas such as energy, artificial intelligence, critical minerals and resilient supply chains.

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The two sides also review progress on negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with India and Canada targeting a formal bilateral trade agreement by the end of 2026. Bilateral trade reaches $8.66 billion in 2025, compared with $8.4 billion a year earlier. India exports goods worth $4.22 billion to Canada and imports $4.45 billion.

During her Canada visit, Sitharaman also participates in an investment roundtable and engages with executives from Indian public sector banks to discuss opportunities linked to the GIFT City International Financial Services Centre. She is also scheduled to participate in a fireside discussion hosted by the Canadian Club of Toronto and the Canada-India Business Council and interact with members of the Indian diaspora.

The second leg of the visit takes the minister to the US, where she travels to Chicago, Asheville and New York. In Chicago, she holds investor meetings and visits the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago to explore opportunities around entrepreneurship and innovation.

From August 31 to September 1, Sitharaman leads the Indian delegation at the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, under the US G20 presidency. The discussions are expected to focus on international economic and financial priorities.

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Her US itinerary concludes in New York with high-level investor engagements and a ceremonial bell-ringing at NASDAQ. India-US goods and services trade totals an estimated $239.6 billion in 2025, rising 12.1% from the previous year. Goods trade reaches $149.1 billion, while US imports from India rise 18.9% to $103.8 billion.

The visit comes as India works to expand market access, strengthen investment partnerships and advance trade negotiations with two major economies. It also provides an opportunity to promote India as an investment destination while deepening cooperation in emerging sectors, financial services and supply chain resilience.