India, Canada to Resume Free Trade Agreement Negotiations in Ottawa in July
India and Canada to Hold Next Round of CEPA Negotiations in July
India and Canada will hold the next round of negotiations for the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in July in Ottawa, the Commerce Ministry announced on Friday. The two sides concluded the second round of talks for the CEPA here on May 8, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing a balanced, ambitious, and mutually beneficial agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties.
The five-day talks covered key issues such as trade in goods, services, intellectual property, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and technical barriers to trade. Both sides agreed to continue negotiations in a constructive and cooperative spirit and looked forward to the next round of discussions in July 2026 in Ottawa, Canada, with intersessional engagements to continue in the interim.
The negotiations are crucial as the two sides have set a target to increase the bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030. Currently, the bilateral trade stands at USD 8.66 billion in 2024-25, comprising USD 4.22 billion exports and USD 4.44 billion imports.
Read also: Expert Portfolio Manager Raja Venkatraman Names Top Investment Picks for June 4
Canada's Market Attracts Indian Exports
Canada represents a market of 41.65 million people (2025) and a GDP of USD 2.34 trillion at purchasing power parity. Key exports from India to Canada include pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, seafood, cotton garments, electronic goods, and chemicals. On the other hand, India imports key goods such as pulses, pearls and semi-precious stones, coal, fertilizer, paper, and petroleum crude.
India's main services sector exports include telecommunications, computer and information services, and other business services. Canada is also home to over 4,25,000 Indian students and a strong Indian community. Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Brij Mohan Mishra, is the chief negotiator from the Indian side, while Bruce Christie is Canada's chief negotiator.
Comparison of India-Canada Bilateral Trade
| Year | Exports | Imports | Total Trade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | USD 4.22 billion | USD 4.44 billion | USD 8.66 billion |
Note: The figures are subject to change and may not reflect the actual numbers.
More in Market
Expert Portfolio Manager Raja Venkatraman Names Top Investment Picks for June 4
MarketSmith India's 4 June Stock Recommendations
Foreign Investors Outpace Domestic Mutual Funds in Rupee Returns Despite Record Withdrawal of $27 Billion
