With an aim to fast-track process of trade agreement, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Canada are progressing and the next round of talks will be held from October 5, 2026. The fourth round of negotiations concluded on September 18, 2026. Canada's International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu was in Mumbai last week to hold talks with Goyal. The talks are moving at a faster pace as both the countries are targeting to conclude the negotiations by end of this year.
India's major exports to Canada include pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, seafood, cotton garments, electronic goods and chemicals. Key imports from Canada include pulses, pearls and semi-precious stones, coal, fertilisers, paper and crude petroleum. India's services exports to Canada are led by telecommunications, computer and information services, and other business services. Two-way trade reached $30.4 billion in 2025 and the target is double that to $70 billion by 2030.
On India-EU trade pact, Goyal said it is expected to come into force in the coming months. He said the pact is likely to be ratified by the EU parliament in the next three months or so and is likely to come in to effect within the next six-seven months. On the India-Chile trade agreement, he said Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal recently visited Chile to review the progress of talks. He added “I believe in the coming few months, we will hear some good news”.
