Archive · 5 Oct 2026
India and Canada Begin Fifth Round of CEPA Talks
India and Canada are meeting in Ottawa to discuss a proposed trade agreement called CEPA.
The talks are scheduled to last from October 5 to October 9.
The countries hope to finish negotiating by the end of 2026.
A trade agreement could reduce taxes on many goods and make it easier for skilled workers and investment to move between countries.
Canada’s trade minister is also planning to bring a large business group to India later in October.
The countries see possible opportunities in areas such as energy, minerals, aerospace and artificial intelligence.
Their published trade figures are not directly the same: one report gives goods trade for India’s fiscal year, while another gives Canadian calendar-year figures and includes different measures.
The negotiations began in 2015 and have paused and restarted several times.
India and Canada begin the fifth round of proposed CEPA negotiations in Ottawa on October 5, with talks scheduled through October 9.
Both governments aim to conclude negotiations by the end of 2026; four rounds have already been completed.
Canada’s Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is due to lead a trade mission to India from October 12 to 17, bringing close to 300 delegates.
Canada identifies energy, critical minerals, aerospace and artificial intelligence as areas for deeper economic cooperation with India.
Trade figures differ by source and measure: Indian reports put 2025–26 goods trade at $7.95 billion, while Canadian figures cite $13.6 billion in 2025 merchandise trade and $30.4 billion in goods and services.
- Who
- Chief negotiators from India and Canada; Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal are also involved.
- What
- The fifth round of negotiations for the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
- When
- October 5–9, 2026; both countries aim to conclude negotiations by the end of 2026.
- Where
- Ottawa, Canada.
- Why
- The countries aim to reach a trade agreement and expand commercial ties.
India-reported figures
Canadian-reported figures
Trade totals use different measures and periods
India-reported figures
The Indian reports say bilateral goods trade was $7.95 billion in fiscal year 2025–26, down from $8.7 billion in 2024–25.
Canadian-reported figures
The Canadian report gives $13.6 billion in 2025 merchandise trade and $30.4 billion in two-way goods and services trade. The articles do not reconcile the figures; they refer to different reporting periods and measures.
- Fifth round
- October 5–9 in Ottawa
- Negotiation target
- Conclude talks by the end of 2026
- Previous round
- The fourth round concluded in New Delhi on September 18
- Canadian trade mission
- October 12–17; close to 300 delegates expected
- India-reported goods trade
- $7.95 billion in fiscal year 2025–26, down 8.23% from $8.7 billion in 2024–25
- Canadian-reported trade
- $13.6 billion in merchandise trade and $30.4 billion in goods and services trade in 2025
- Canada's trade goal
- Double two-way trade to $70 billion annually by 2030
- Potential cooperation areas
- Energy, critical minerals, aerospace and artificial intelligence
