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India and Canada Begin Fifth Round of CEPA Talks
India and Canada are talking about a trade agreement called CEPA.
Their chief negotiators have started the fifth round of talks in Ottawa.
The talks are planned to last five days and may finish on October 9.
India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal is expected to visit Canada to help give the discussions new momentum.
The countries hope to finish negotiating by the end of the year.
Canada’s trade minister is also expected to visit New Delhi with a large business group.
A CEPA could lower or remove some taxes on traded goods and make it easier for skilled workers to move between the countries.
Goods trade between the two countries fell in 2025-26, even though India’s exports to Canada increased.
Chief negotiators began the fifth round of India-Canada CEPA talks in Ottawa on Monday, with the five-day round potentially ending October 9.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal is expected to visit Canada this week, possibly arriving October 8, to support the negotiations.
The countries aim to conclude negotiations by the end of the calendar year.
Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is expected to visit New Delhi later this month with a 300-member business delegation.
Bilateral goods trade fell 8.23% to USD 7.95 billion in 2025-26, while India’s exports to Canada rose and imports declined.
- Who
- India and Canada, including their chief negotiators; Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal is expected to visit Canada.
- What
- The countries are holding the fifth round of negotiations for a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
- Where
- Ottawa, Canada.
- When
- The five-day round began Monday and may end October 9; Agarwal may arrive October 8.
- Why
- The countries are seeking to advance the negotiations and aim to conclude them by the end of the calendar year.
Key facts
- Agreement
- Proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
- Negotiation round
- Fifth round; five days, potentially ending October 9
- Target for conclusion
- End of the calendar year
- Canadian delegation
- Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is expected in New Delhi later this month with a 300-strong business delegation
- Goods trade
- USD 7.95 billion in 2025-26, down 8.23% from USD 8.7 billion in 2024-25
- India's exports to Canada
- USD 4.67 billion in 2025-26, up 10.63%
- India's imports from Canada
- USD 3.28 billion in 2025-26, down 26.14%
Sources
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