Archive · 28 Aug 2026
India, Canada Pursue Investment Treaty Talks, Target C$70 Billion Trade
India and Canada held their first meeting of finance ministers about money and trade.
India said it is ready to discuss a new investment treaty with Canada.
Both countries want their trade to reach C$70 billion by 2030.
They are also trying to finish a larger trade agreement by the end of 2026.
The ministers discussed helping businesses and long-term investors work more easily in both countries.
They talked about using India’s UPI payment system more widely in Canada.
They also discussed safer supply chains and cooperation on important minerals.
The ministers want to improve payments, financial technology and cooperation against financial crime.
Their next economic and financial dialogue is planned for 2027.
India said it is ready to begin Bilateral Investment Treaty negotiations with Canada at the earliest.
The countries set a shared goal of expanding bilateral trade to C$70 billion, or about ₹4.65 lakh crore, by 2030.
India and Canada committed to concluding Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement talks by the end of 2026.
Finance ministers discussed investment, financial-sector cooperation, UPI expansion, cross-border payments and critical-minerals supply chains.
Merchandise trade was about US$8 billion in 2025–26, while some reports also cited a separate US$50 billion 2030 target.
- Who
- Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Canadian Finance and National Revenue Minister François-Philippe Champagne.
- What
- They concluded the inaugural Canada-India Finance Ministers’ Economic and Financial Dialogue and discussed investment treaty talks, trade expansion and financial cooperation.
- When
- The dialogue was reported on August 28, 2026, during Sitharaman’s August 25–September 2 official visit to Canada and the United States.
- Where
- The dialogue took place during Sitharaman’s Canada visit; a News18 quick answer identified Toronto as the location.
- Why
- To strengthen economic and financial ties, increase trade and investment, improve financial-sector cooperation and develop strategic supply chains.
- Investment treaty
- India expressed readiness to initiate Bilateral Investment Treaty negotiations with Canada at the earliest.
- 2030 trade target
- C$70 billion, equivalent to approximately ₹4.65 lakh crore.
- CEPA deadline
- Both countries committed to concluding Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations by the end of 2026.
- Current merchandise trade
- Approximately US$8 billion in 2025–26.
- Trade balance details
- India exported US$4.67 billion to Canada and imported US$3.28 billion in 2025–26.
- Financial cooperation
- The ministers discussed payment modernisation, financial stability, fintech, capital markets, remittances, merchant payments and financial crime.
- Next dialogue
- The next Canada-India Economic and Financial Dialogue is scheduled for 2027.
- Reported target discrepancy
- The official joint-statement target cited in the articles is C$70 billion; some reports also mentioned a US$50 billion target for 2030.
Sources
India, Canada target C$70 billion bilateral trade by 2030, eye investment treaty talks
India Ready For Bilateral Investment Treaty Talks With Canada, Targets Rs 4.65 Lakh Crore Trade By 2030
India To Initiate Negotiations on Bilateral Investment Treaty with Canada; Aims for Rs 4.65 Lakh Cr Trade by 2030
