Canada pushes for free trade agreement with India as negotiations advance

Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu said India is on track to become the world’s third‑largest economy and warned Canadian exporters not to miss the opportunity of a free‑trade agreement (CEPA). He highlighted sectors such as aerospace, AI, information‑communications technology, energy, agriculture, food processing and advanced manufacturing.

At the Western Canada‑India Leaders Summit in Regina, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Canada’s High Commissioner to India Chris Cooter and India’s High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik expressed optimism that talks are progressing well. Cooter said a deal could be reached later this year, and Patnaik confirmed negotiations are ongoing.

The talks follow a reset in relations after Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent visit to India and come after a 2023 stall linked to Canadian allegations about Indian agents in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Other partners such as the UK, EU and New Zealand have already signed FTAs with India, and Canadian officials want Canadian firms to avoid missing out on early‑mover advantages.