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India, Canada Begin Fifth CEPA Negotiation Round October 5
India and Canada are preparing to meet in Ottawa for another round of trade talks.
The talks are about a possible agreement called CEPA.
Such an agreement can lower taxes on goods traded between countries and make it easier for skilled workers and investment to move.
The meetings are expected to run from October 5 to October 9.
Both countries want to finish the negotiations by the end of 2026.
The talks have stopped and restarted several times since they began in 2015.
A Canadian trade minister is also expected to visit India with a large business group.
Trade in goods between the countries decreased in the 2025–26 fiscal year, even though India's exports to Canada increased.
India and Canada will start their fifth round of CEPA negotiations in Ottawa on October 5, with talks expected to last five days.
The countries aim to conclude negotiations by the end of 2026; the previous round ended on September 18.
Canada's Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is due to visit New Delhi later in October with a 300-member business delegation.
The negotiations began in 2015, were paused and restarted several times, and formally resumed in November 2025.
Bilateral goods trade fell 8.23% to $7.95 billion in 2025–26, while Indian exports to Canada rose and imports declined.
- Who
- Chief negotiators from India and Canada; Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is also scheduled to visit India.
- What
- The fifth round of negotiations for a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
- Where
- Ottawa, Canada.
- When
- The round begins October 5, 2026, and may conclude October 9; both countries aim to finish negotiations by year-end.
- Why
- The countries are seeking to conclude a proposed trade pact that could reduce or eliminate customs duties and ease rules for skilled professionals and investment.
Key facts
- Talks begin
- October 5, 2026
- Expected end of fifth round
- October 9, 2026
- Negotiation goal
- Conclude talks by the end of 2026
- Previous round
- The fourth round concluded September 18
- Goods trade, 2025–26
- $7.95 billion, down 8.23% from $8.7 billion in 2024–25
- Indian exports to Canada
- $4.67 billion in 2025–26, up 10.63%
- Indian imports from Canada
- $3.28 billion in 2025–26, down 26.14%
Sources
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