PM Modi is expected to visit Canada in December as India and Canada push to conclude a trade deal by the end of 2026. The two sides say CEPA talks are making progress…reports Asianlite News Desk
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada in December, as the two countries work towards concluding a trade agreement by the end of 2026.
Carney said negotiations on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India were making “good progress” and described bilateral ties between the two countries as “exceptionally important” across several sectors.
“We’re making good progress in our trade negotiations with India. It is an exceptionally important relationship, on many, many levels… He (PM Modi) will be visiting Canada around that time. I very much look forward to hosting him,” Carney said during a press briefing on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
The comments come as India and Canada seek to advance negotiations on the CEPA, with both sides expressing support for an early conclusion of the agreement.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said earlier this week that she looked forward to meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and discussing the trade agreement.
“The Canada-India bilateral relationship is growing and the conclusion of the CEPA before the end of the year is key to our overall strategy. I look forward to speaking with @DrSJaishankar this week during @UN high level week,” Anand posted on X.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also met Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu earlier this week to discuss progress on the CEPA negotiations.
Sidhu said the fourth round of negotiations had recently concluded and stressed the importance of continued discussions between the two sides.
“I just finished round four of trade negotiations with my team in India. These negotiations require sustained, face-to-face cooperation, and I look forward to meeting with Minister Goyal again in the coming weeks as we continue to build momentum toward a CEPA agreement,” Sidhu posted on X.
Sidhu said Canada and India recorded $30.8 billion in two-way trade in 2024, with a target of increasing that figure to $70 billion by 2030.
He said a CEPA could create opportunities for Canadian businesses in sectors including agriculture and agri-food, energy, critical minerals, AI and technology, aerospace and defence.
Goyal said both countries had reaffirmed “our leadership’s commitment to expedite negotiations and conclude CEPA at the earliest, unlocking new opportunities across trade in goods, services, and investment, among others”.
He also said he was confident an early conclusion of the agreement would help increase bilateral trade and deepen the economic partnership between India and Canada.
