India and Canada have agreed to work towards concluding negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or a free trade pact, by the end of 2026, marking a renewed push to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties.
The commitment was made in a joint statement issued after Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Canadian Minister Maninder Sidhu met for the 2026 Canada-India Trade and Investment Forum.
Both ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening trade and investment links between the two countries, with the stated aim of delivering tangible outcomes for businesses and supporting economic growth.
The statement said both sides are looking to advance an ambitious and mutually beneficial CEPA, with a focus on expanding market access, strengthening resilient supply chains and enabling two-way economic growth.
The renewed trade push comes after recent ministerial engagement between the two countries.
Sidhu welcomed Goyal and what the statement described as the largest Indian delegation ever sent anywhere in the world.
The two sides identified clean energy, critical minerals, agri-food, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and skills development as key areas for deeper cooperation.
The ministers also launched the Canada-India Trade and Investment Forum as a platform to bring together business leaders from both countries and support new commercial partnerships.
Connectivity was also identified as a major enabler of expanded trade and investment.
The statement said both sides emphasised the need to improve people-to-people ties, business mobility and direct commercial linkages.
Canada will lead a Team Canada Trade Mission to India later this year, reflecting the interest of Canadian businesses in expanding their presence in the Indian market.
India and Canada also agreed to encourage long-term, high-quality investment in priority sectors and support deeper collaboration between businesses, innovators and institutional partners.
The ministers committed to maintaining regular dialogue and advancing concrete outcomes in the months ahead.
