In a pivotal meeting in Ottawa, Mark Carney highlighted the potential impact of a proposed free trade agreement with India, describing it as a “game changer” for both nations. During discussions with India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, the focus was on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with a shared goal of finalizing the agreement by the end of the year. Carney pointed to substantial opportunities for Canadian sectors such as energy, agriculture, technology, and education as key benefits of the agreement.
Piyush Goyal, carrying greetings from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasized the importance of strengthening long-term bilateral ties and speeding up trade negotiations. Canada’s International Trade Minister, Maninder Sidhu, also took part in the discussions. Both countries have already completed two rounds of negotiations, with Canada set to host the upcoming session.
Accompanying Goyal on his visit to Canada is a significant business delegation from India, consisting of over 100 representatives engaged in trade and investment talks in Toronto. This visit is part of a broader effort to forge deeper connections between the two nations across various sectors.
Further meetings between Goyal and Canadian officials, including Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald, underscored a commitment to enhancing cooperation. This renewed momentum in India-Canada relations follows a period of tension in 2023, sparked by allegations related to the killing of Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. India had dismissed the accusations from former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The diplomatic climate began to improve after Mark Carney assumed office in 2025, leading to a revival of diplomatic engagements and the restart of CEPA negotiations. The current talks and prospective trade agreement signal a significant stride forward in mending and strengthening the ties between India and Canada.
