Canada Sends Largest Trade Mission to India in Over 30 Years as CEPA Talks Advance

Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, who is of Indian origin, is leading the Team Canada Trade Mission, organised by Global Affairs Canada to help Canadian businesses explore opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.

The delegation includes companies from aerospace and space, clean technology, energy transition, information and communication technology, life sciences and agri-food. Forestry and wood products are also among the priority sectors, with the programme featuring business-to-business meetings, site visits and briefings by Canadian trade commissioners.

“Nearly 300 Canadian business delegates are joining the Team Canada Trade Mission I am leading to India next week to secure new opportunities for our businesses and workers in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets,” Sidhu said.

He said Canada intended to match its expertise in sectors such as aerospace, agri-food and clean technology with India’s expanding demand, attract fresh investment and diversify trade.

“This is how we will more than double our trade with India to $70 billion by 2030,” he added.

The mission follows the fifth round of negotiations on the Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), held in Ottawa from October 5 to 9. Neither government has announced an outcome from that round.

Sidhu had also met Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Milwaukee on October 1, when the two reviewed progress in the negotiations.

The renewed trade push comes as both countries seek to broaden their international economic partnerships. Canada aims to double exports to markets outside the United States over the next decade amid trade friction with the Trump administration, while India is negotiating trade arrangements with several partners.

According to Canadian government figures, two-way trade in goods and services between Canada and India reached C$30.4 billion in 2025. Canadian merchandise exports to India stood at C$3.9 billion, led by vegetables, mineral fuels and oils, and wood pulp. Imports from India totalled C$9.7 billion, mainly precious stones and metals, machinery and pharmaceutical products.

Canadian direct investment in India reached C$11.4 billion in 2025, while Indian direct investment in Canada stood at C$9.7 billion. Canadian pension funds and asset managers also reported approximately C$108 billion in total exposure to India during the year, according to Export Development Canada.

The CEPA negotiations were relaunched after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Prime Minister Narendra Modi moved to reset bilateral relations, which had deteriorated sharply in 2023.