India and Canada successfully concluded the second round of negotiations for the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), held from 4-8 May 2026 at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi.
The negotiations were hosted by the Department of Commerce, Government of India, bringing together officials and trade experts from both sides to deliberate on various aspects of the agreement.
The discussions followed the Terms of Reference signed by the Trade Ministers of both countries on 2 March 2026, according to the Commerce Ministry.
Throughout the five-day sessions, both sides engaged in detailed and constructive dialogue, highlighting shared interests and exploring pathways to a balanced, ambitious, and mutually beneficial agreement that aims to significantly strengthen bilateral trade and economic ties.
Negotiators held comprehensive talks across multiple chapters of the proposed agreement.
These included Trade in Goods, focusing on tariff reductions and market access; Trade in Services, aimed at facilitating smoother cross-border services; Intellectual Property, ensuring protections for innovations; Rules of Origin, governing the origin of goods for preferential treatment; Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, addressing food safety and health standards; and Technical Barriers to Trade, working to reduce non-tariff obstacles that affect trade flow.
Both countries expressed satisfaction with the progress made and emphasised the importance of maintaining a cooperative and solution-oriented approach.
India and Canada agreed to continue negotiations in the same constructive spirit, with the third round scheduled for July 2026 in Ottawa.
In the meantime, intersessional engagements are planned to ensure ongoing momentum and address any outstanding technical or policy issues, paving the way for a robust and forward-looking economic partnership.
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