Discussions held to accelerate negotiations for free trade agreement between India and Canada

India and Canada held serious discussions on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, regarding advancing negotiations for the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at promoting bilateral trade and investment between the two nations. According to a report by 'The Hindu', this significant meeting took place in New Delhi, attended by India's Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Canada's Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu. Maninder Sidhu is currently leading a Canadian delegation.

During this meeting, both leaders emphasised accelerating negotiations on the 'India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement' (CEPA) and further strengthening economic ties between the two countries. Minister Piyush Goyal described the meeting as warm and engaging on social media. Both sides exchanged views on the importance of a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement. The primary objective of this agreement is to ensure meaningful market access, leverage the complementarities of both economies, and create new opportunities for trade and investment.

Minister Goyal further stated that both countries are committed to taking the India-Canada economic partnership to new heights. The CEPA agreement will serve as a catalyst to deepen the commercial connectivity between the two nations and bring collective prosperity. During the meeting, representatives from both countries discussed long-term cooperation with the goal of strengthening economic relations. This visit by Canadian Minister Maninder Sidhu is considered a significant step in the trade relations between the two countries, which could open new doors for economic cooperation in the coming times.

The India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is a comprehensive framework to facilitate trade between the two nations. The aim of this agreement is to boost the industries of both countries by reducing barriers in the sectors of goods, services, and investment. In the past, both countries have made several efforts to deepen economic ties, including various trade forums and bilateral negotiations. Through this agreement, both countries expect to gain better access to each other's markets, thereby accelerating economic growth. Following this meeting, there is a possibility of increased transparency and cooperation in the trade relations between the two countries, which could prove positive for the economies of both nations.