Goyal, Canada Discuss CEPA Ahead of PM Carney Visit

• Piyush Goyal and Maninder Sidhu held virtual talks to advance the proposed India-Canada CEPA ahead of Mark Carney’s India visit
• Negotiations, first launched in 2010, have been revived after discussions between Narendra Modi and Carney
• The proposed agreement will cover goods, services, investment, agriculture, digital trade, and cooperation in energy, minerals, and AI

The Indian Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal conducted a virtual meeting to discuss the proposed India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Maninder Sidhu, who serves as Canada’s International Trade Minister. The two countries have established negotiations to create stronger trade ties and expand their economic relationship.

The Piyush Goyal Canada meeting advanced CEPA negotiations India Canada, strengthening the proposed India Canada CEPA, boosting bilateral trade India Canada, and reinforcing India Canada economic partnership, trade cooperation India Canada, and broader global trade partnerships ahead of the Mark Carney India visit, with fresh CEPA deal updates on the India Canada trade agreement, free trade agreement India Canada, and expanding India Canada business ties.

The virtual interaction comes ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s upcoming visit to India. The two ministers who met showed their hope to continue trade talks while working toward their ultimate goal of achieving a complete trade agreement.

Goyal stated, “Had a virtual interaction with @MSidhuLiberal, Minister of International Trade, Canada, on advancing discussions related to the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). We also deliberated on strengthening business ties on both sides through regular delegation-level engagements over the coming months to build sustained momentum in our economic partnership”.

The two countries showed their dedication to building better trade relations, which would create fresh business opportunities for their respective markets.

Also Read: India, Canada Deepen Ties in Critical Minerals, Clean Mobility

“I spoke with my Indian counterpart, Minister Piyush Goyal, to continue building momentum in our trading relationship and advancing discussions towards a CEPA trade agreement. With more than $30 billion in annual bilateral trade between Canada and India, there is strong potential to unlock new opportunities for Canadian exporters, strengthen commercial ties, and drive growth for businesses and workers in both countries”, said the Canadian Minister.

The CEPA negotiations started in 2010 yet experienced multiple periods of interruption throughout their history. The pact required revival efforts, which gained fresh momentum when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Prime Minister Carney to start official talks about increasing their countries trade relations.

The two leaders at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg approved the start of negotiations about a high-ambition agreement, targeting $50 billion in trade by 2030.

The CEPA proposal will establish provisions governing the trade of goods and services, together with investment activities, agricultural products and digital trade. The Carney visit will establish key agreements between India and Canada which cover uranium, energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence.