India and Canada continue talks to finalise CEPA trade pact, says MEA – Firstpost

India and Canada are accelerating efforts to deepen economic engagement, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirming that negotiations to finalise a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) are ongoing.

The development comes as both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties and agreed to work towards concluding CEPA negotiations by the end of this year.

Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, the MEA said discussions on the proposed trade pact continue between New Delhi and Ottawa, signalling renewed momentum in economic relations between the two countries.

The push for a trade agreement follows recent talks between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu. During the meeting, the two ministers reiterated their commitment to expanding economic cooperation and advancing negotiations on the CEPA.

Building on the momentum from recent ministerial engagements, Sidhu welcomed Goyal and what was described as the largest Indian business delegation ever sent anywhere in the world. The two sides explored opportunities to deepen cooperation across a range of sectors, including clean energy, critical minerals, agri-food, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and skills development.

The proposed CEPA is expected to reduce trade barriers, improve market access, encourage investment flows and create new opportunities for businesses in both countries. Industry stakeholders have long viewed the agreement as a key step towards unlocking the full potential of the India-Canada economic relationship.

The renewed engagement is particularly significant as India pursues a broader strategy of expanding trade partnerships and securing greater access to global markets. A successful CEPA with Canada would strengthen India’s economic footprint in North America while providing Canadian businesses greater access to one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies.

During the briefing, the MEA also described recent discussions with China as “good, constructive and forward-looking.” The ministry further reiterated that energy security remains a critical priority for India, adding that New Delhi is continuing efforts to diversify its sources of energy imports amid an evolving global geopolitical landscape.