PM Carney, Minister Sidhu Meet India’s Commerce Minister as Canada-India Trade Deal Talks Gain Momentum

Canada and India are moving quickly to advance negotiations on a major free trade agreement, as Prime Minister Mark Carney and India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met in Ottawa amid renewed momentum in bilateral relations.

Carney said Canada is negotiating a free trade deal with India and described the agreement as a major opportunity for Canadian workers and businesses. The proposed Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA, is being positioned by both governments as a key step toward expanding trade, investment and market access between the two countries.

“We’re negotiating a free trade deal with India. This will be a game changer for Canadian workers and businesses — unlocking a massive new market,” Carney said in a post on X.

We’re negotiating a free trade deal with India. This will be a game changer for Canadian workers and businesses — unlocking a massive new market.

We’re working fast — I met Minister @PiyushGoyal to review our progress so far and explore the opportunities ahead for both our… pic.twitter.com/LmiuwQzDmE

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) May 26, 2026

Carney said he met Goyal to review progress and explore opportunities in energy, agri-food, technology and education. The meeting took place as Canada hosted what International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu described as India’s largest-ever business delegation sent to any country.

Goyal said he called on Carney and conveyed greetings from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said Carney’s recent visit to India had given “fresh momentum and renewed confidence” to the India-Canada partnership.

The visit marked another sign of improving ties after a serious diplomatic rupture following the 2023 killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Canada accused Indian officials of involvement, while India denied the allegation. Trade talks were paused during the diplomatic fallout, but both sides have since moved to rebuild engagement.

Carney’s official visit to India earlier this year was seen as a successful step toward thawing relations. It was his first visit to India after taking office and the first bilateral visit to India by a Canadian prime minister since 2018.

Goyal said the latest talks in Ottawa were forward-looking and focused on deepening bilateral cooperation. He also expressed optimism toward the early conclusion of CEPA, saying the agreement would open new avenues of growth and prosperity for both countries.

Sidhu said Canada and India are working to double bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030, calling India one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies. He said stronger ties with India are central to creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses, workers and exporters.

Today, Prime Minister @MarkJCarney and I welcomed India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, @PiyushGoyal, as Canada hosts India’s largest-ever business delegation sent to any country.

We’re advancing work toward a Canada-India CEPA trade agreement and strengthening our economic… pic.twitter.com/qZA9tq9mma

— Maninder Sidhu (@MSidhuLiberal) May 26, 2026

Goyal also met Sidhu for bilateral discussions on advancing CEPA negotiations. He said both sides gave clear guidance to negotiating teams to work toward a balanced, commercially meaningful and ambitious agreement that delivers tangible benefits to businesses and citizens.

The Indian minister also met Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald. Discussions covered trade, investment, technology, food security, sustainability, agri-tech and food processing.

Diaspora Seen as Key Bridge

At a reception hosted by Sidhu, Goyal highlighted India’s growth story, its expanding market, entrepreneurial base and talent pool. He also pointed to the Indian diaspora’s role in strengthening economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between Canada and India.