India, Canada Plan CEPA Talks to Double Bilateral Trade to $30 Billion by 2030
Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu to lead a 300-member Canadian delegation to India, the country’s largest-ever Canadian trade mission in over 30 years.
India and Canada are preparing to hold discussions on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with a target of doubling bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2030. The proposed talks are part of efforts to expand commercial ties, strengthen market access and explore opportunities across multiple sectors.
India and Canada Prepare for CEPA Discussions and Trade Expansion
Canada will send a 300-member delegation to India next week for its largest trade mission to the country in over 30 years, signalling plans to expand commercial ties and more than double bilateral trade by 2030.
Led by Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, the delegation will visit Mumbai and Bengaluru from October 12 to 17, according to an official statement on Friday.
The visit follows Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent speech in Ottawa, where he outlined Canada’s expanding trade relationships and its strategy for economic diversification.
The mission is expected to include business representatives from sectors such as energy, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, critical minerals, food and agriculture, and advanced technology. It will also provide opportunities for Canadian businesses to engage with Indian decision-makers and explore commercial partnerships.
The delegation is scheduled to participate in the Canadian Prime Minister’s Team Canada Trade Mission to India, with activities planned across the two countries’ commercial centres.
CEPA Talks and Bilateral Trade Target
A key focus of the engagement is the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Canada. The agreement could provide a framework for expanding market access and strengthening trade relations between the two countries.
The discussions come amid efforts to increase bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2030. The trade mission is expected to support this objective by connecting businesses and identifying opportunities for investment and cooperation.
Canadian businesses are also expected to explore partnerships with Indian companies across manufacturing, technology, agriculture and other areas of mutual interest.
Business Engagement Across Key Sectors
The mission will bring together representatives from several industries to examine commercial opportunities in India. Areas of engagement include advanced manufacturing, energy, life sciences, critical minerals, food and agriculture, and technology.
The visit is also intended to strengthen business connections and facilitate discussions on trade, investment and market access.
Further engagements are expected to take place in Mumbai and Bengaluru between October 12 and 17, bringing Canadian businesses into contact with Indian industry representatives and other stakeholders.
The planned discussions form part of broader efforts by India and Canada to deepen economic cooperation and work towards their bilateral trade target of $30 billion by 2030.