In Ottawa, Mark Carney has hailed a potential free trade agreement with India as a transformative opportunity. During discussions with India’s commerce minister Piyush Goyal, Carney emphasized the potential of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to unlock significant opportunities for Canadian sectors such as energy, agriculture, technology, and education. Both leaders shared a hopeful outlook on finalizing the deal by the end of the year.
Piyush Goyal, bringing greetings from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighted the focus on enhancing long-term bilateral cooperation and accelerating the trade negotiations. The talks also saw participation from Canada’s international trade minister, Maninder Sidhu, signaling a cooperative effort on both sides. Two rounds of negotiations have already been completed, with Canada preparing to host the next round.
Accompanying Goyal on this visit to Canada is a substantial business delegation from India, consisting of over 100 business representatives. Their presence underscores the importance of the trade and investment discussions slated to happen in Toronto, highlighting the commitment to deepening economic ties.
In addition to the trade talks, Goyal met with Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand and agriculture minister Heath MacDonald. These meetings are part of a broader strategy to strengthen collaboration across various sectors, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to deepening Indo-Canadian ties.
This renewed momentum in diplomatic engagement comes after a period of strained relations following the 2023 allegations concerning the killing of Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, accusations that India had rejected. The improvement in ties gained traction after Mark Carney assumed office in 2025, leading to a revival of diplomatic efforts and the relaunch of the CEPA negotiations.