India and Canada Push to Finalise Trade Pact Ahead of December Summit

Trade Talks

India and Canada are moving swiftly to conclude a comprehensive economic partnership agreement before Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels to Canada in December. Canadian trade minister Maninder Sidhu is expected in New Delhi around October 15 for his second trip in less than a month. He will meet commerce minister Piyush Goyal shortly after the fifth round of trade negotiations takes place in Canada starting October 5. Most key issues have already been resolved by officials, leaving political leaders to handle remaining matters.

Economic Targets

Both nations are aiming to raise two-way trade to seventy billion dollars by 2030. Bilateral trade in goods and services reached thirty point four billion dollars in 2025, with merchandise trade contributing thirteen point six billion dollars. Canada currently exports items like vegetables, mineral fuels, and wood pulp worth three point nine billion dollars to India, while importing Indian merchandise worth nine point seven billion dollars, including precious stones and machinery. Meanwhile, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand at the United Nations General Assembly to discuss taking ties to a higher level.

Context

Bilateral ties have rebounded sharply since Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney took office in March 2025, following a deep diplomatic freeze under former leader Justin Trudeau. Both countries are also pursuing trade diversification amid tariff pressures from Washington.