India, Canada resume dialogue on CEPA ahead of fresh trade negotiations

India and Canada have revived discussions on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with the commerce ministers of both countries holding a virtual meeting on Thursday to outline the roadmap for renewed negotiations.

The talks were led by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the intended scope, objectives and modalities for the proposed CEPA. Goyal also announced that he would head a high-level trade and investment delegation to Canada early next year.

Sharing details on social media, Goyal said the meeting featured “initial scoping and broad discussions on the overall approach, contours, macro objectives and modalities” ahead of the formal launch of negotiations. Describing the conversation as “productive,” he reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral trade ties.

Canada’s Maninder Sidhu, in a separate post, noted that the discussion aimed at “further strengthening commercial ties between Canada and India” and confirmed preparations for relaunching CEPA negotiations. He added that he looked forward to hosting Goyal and the Indian delegation in 2025.

A CEPA is a comprehensive free trade pact under which partner countries substantially reduce or eliminate tariffs on a broad range of goods and facilitate easier movement of skilled professionals, thereby boosting trade and investment flows.

The renewed engagement marks a significant step after Canada suspended CEPA talks in 2023, following a deterioration in diplomatic relations triggered by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations regarding India’s potential involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Despite past tensions, bilateral trade has remained stable. In FY 2023–24, India’s exports to Canada increased 9.8% to USD 4.22 billion, compared with USD 3.84 billion the previous year. Imports from Canada dipped 2.33% to USD 4.44 billion, down from USD 4.55 billion in 2022–23.