India and Canada will resume negotiations for a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement on October 5. The fifth round will take place in Canada as both sides move to accelerate discussions on the proposed trade agreement. Goyal said India and Canada had agreed to fast-track the negotiations and described the coming 90 days as an important period for the bilateral relationship.
The two countries are working towards completing the CEPA negotiations by the end of 2026. The proposed agreement is intended to expand trade and investment between India and Canada, with negotiations covering goods and services as well as other areas linked to bilateral commerce.
The latest talks come after India and Canada held their annual Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi on September 2. Officials reviewed cooperation in areas including energy and critical minerals, science and technology, education, security and defence, as well as consular matters. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to concluding the CEPA negotiations by the end of the year.
India and Canada have also set a target of more than doubling bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion by 2030. The proposed CEPA is part of efforts by both governments to strengthen their economic relationship following a period of strained ties.
