Canada’s Team Canada Trade Mission to India has concluded with more than 30 commercial partnerships valued at nearly C$300 million, Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu said. The partnerships span aerospace, energy, clean technology and automotive sectors as both countries work to strengthen economic ties and advance negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Trade Mission Brings 300 Business Delegates to India
Speaking to IANS on October 16, Sidhu described the mission as productive, highlighting the commercial opportunities created through engagement between Canadian and Indian businesses. The delegation included 300 business representatives from 150 organisations, making it Canada’s largest trade mission of this kind in three decades, according to the minister.
The mission travelled from Mumbai to Bengaluru, with Sidhu concluding the visit in Karnataka. He said the objective was to establish commercial relationships and open new business opportunities across key sectors, including aerospace, energy, clean technology and automotive industries.
Sidhu also linked the mission to the momentum generated by Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Canada in May, which included a large Indian business delegation. He said he had promised Goyal that he would visit India and welcomed the commercial outcomes achieved during the latest mission.
The minister thanked the Indian government and people for their welcome and cooperation, adding that both countries were working towards stronger economic relations and shared prosperity.
India-Canada CEPA Negotiations Continue
The trade mission comes as India and Canada continue negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Indian High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh K. Patnaik told IANS that the fourth round of negotiations had concluded, with both sides working towards completing the agreement by November 2026, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Canada in December.
The proposed CEPA aims to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, address technical obstacles, facilitate regulatory compliance and encourage investment. It is also expected to provide a framework for cooperation in the movement of goods, services and people.
However, the November timeline remains dependent on the progress and outcome of negotiations. The final scope and benefits of the agreement will depend on the terms agreed upon by both countries and their eventual implementation.
The trade mission has reported more than 30 commercial partnerships and highlighted opportunities for deeper cooperation across several industries. As CEPA negotiations continue, India and Canada are seeking to build on business-level engagement and translate it into broader trade and investment opportunities.
