Canada FM Anita Anand to Meet Jaishankar on India Visit

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand visits India for talks on trade, energy, security and defence as both countries pursue a CEPA by the end of 2026 and aim to increase bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion by 2030.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand is visiting India from October 13 to 16, 2026, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, with trade, energy, security and defence among the key priorities. The visit comes as both countries work to deepen diplomatic engagement and advance negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of 2026.

During her visit to New Delhi, Anand is scheduled to meet Jaishankar to review progress under the bilateral cooperation roadmap and identify opportunities to expand collaboration. This marks their 11th meeting since September 2025, reflecting continued high-level engagement between the two countries.

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Trade negotiations are expected to be a major focus of the discussions. India and Canada have begun the fifth round of CEPA negotiations in Ottawa, aiming to establish a framework that facilitates greater trade and investment. Both countries have also identified energy, critical minerals and aerospace as areas with potential for expanded economic cooperation.

Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is also participating in the engagement, leading a business mission involving nearly 300 delegates. The delegation is expected to explore partnerships in aerospace, clean energy, technology, life sciences, agriculture and food processing, and forestry. The mission aims to connect Canadian businesses with Indian markets and identify opportunities for investment, industrial collaboration and job creation.

Canada has set a target of increasing bilateral trade with India to CAD 70 billion by 2030. Two-way trade reached approximately CAD 30.4 billion in 2025, including CAD 11 billion in merchandise trade, according to figures cited by the Canadian government.

Energy cooperation is another priority, with discussions expected to cover renewable energy, critical minerals and civil nuclear energy. The two countries have expressed interest in developing long-term partnerships that support India's energy transition and strengthen supply chains for strategically important resources. Security and defence cooperation, along with people-to-people ties, will also feature in the bilateral agenda.

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In New Delhi, Anand is also scheduled to participate in a Bloomberg New Economy Forum panel on the role of middle powers in the changing global order. Her programme subsequently includes a visit to the United Arab Emirates to discuss commercial partnerships, defence, security, artificial intelligence and innovation.

The visit reflects ongoing efforts by India and Canada to broaden economic engagement, maintain diplomatic dialogue and strengthen cooperation across shared priorities. Progress on the proposed trade agreement and sector-specific partnerships will be important to the future development of bilateral relations.