India and Canada have taken a significant step towards strengthening their economic partnership by launching the Canada-India Trade and Investment Forum. This initiative, announced after meetings between Indian and Canadian business leaders and bilateral talks between Piyush Goyal and Maninder Sidhu, aims to serve as a dedicated platform for businesses from both countries.
Forum Objectives
The forum is designed to build commercial partnerships and expand economic engagement between India and Canada. Both countries are targeting the conclusion of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of 2026. This agreement is expected to enhance trade volumes and investment flows.
- Clean Energy
- Critical Minerals
- Agri-food
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Digital Technologies
- Skills Development
Key Discussions
During the visit, Canada welcomed what was described as the largest Indian business delegation ever sent abroad. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in sectors such as clean energy, critical minerals, and digital technologies. The ministers emphasized the importance of improving connectivity through stronger people-to-people ties and direct commercial linkages.
"The Ministers also emphasized the importance of enhancing connectivity between India and Canada — including people-to-people ties, business mobility, and direct commercial linkages — as essential enablers of expanded trade and investment," the joint statement said.
Future Prospects
Maninder Sidhu confirmed that Canada will lead a Team Canada Trade Mission to India later this year, indicating a growing interest among Canadian companies in the Indian market. Both countries agreed to encourage long-term investment across priority sectors and deepen collaboration between businesses and institutional partners.
| Sector | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Clean Energy | Renewable resources |
| Critical Minerals | Sustainable mining |
| Agri-food | Food security |
| Advanced Manufacturing | Innovation in production |
| Digital Technologies | Tech advancements |
The ministers committed to maintaining regular engagement and pursuing concrete economic outcomes in the months ahead.
