India, Canada discuss ways to accelerate negotiations for proposed FTA
India and Canada have discussed ways to accelerate negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA), with a focus on strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties. Discussions took place between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Canada's visiting Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, who is heading a Canadian delegation.
Goyal said both sides discussed advancing negotiations on the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and further strengthening their bilateral economic ties. The two ministers also exchanged views on the importance of a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement that delivers meaningful market access, leverages the complementarities of the two economies and creates new opportunities for trade and investment. He further said both countries reaffirmed their commitment to taking bilateral economic partnership to new heights, with the proposed CEPA expected to act as a catalyst for deeper commercial engagement and shared prosperity.
According to government data, bilateral trade in goods between India and Canada declined 8.23 per cent to $7.95 billion in 2025-26 as compared to $8.7 billion in 2024-25. However, India's exports to Canada rose 10.63 per cent to $4.67 billion in 2025-26, while imports from Canada fell 26.14 per cent to $3.28 billion.
