Canada welcomes India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry for bilateral trade mission
News release
May 29, 2026 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
This week, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, welcomed Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, and the largest-ever trade delegation from India to Canada—or anywhere in the world. The visit builds on the renewed commitment by both countries to advance commercial ties and accelerate progress toward doubling bilateral trade by 2030.
In Ottawa, Minister Sidhu and Minister Goyal held a series of bilateral meetings to discuss opportunities for expanded trade and investment, including ongoing work toward the comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), expected to conclude by end of this year.
Minister Sidhu also hosted a reception for Minister Goyal, bringing together government officials and senior business leaders to highlight the growing commercial partnership between Canada and India.
In Toronto, the Ministers joined more than 200 Canadian and Indian business leaders at the ministerial plenary of the Trade and Investment Forum, where they highlighted both countries’ priorities in trade and investment.
Minister Sidhu and Minister Goyal met with representatives of companies and investors to discuss new commercial and investment opportunities. The Ministers also participated in a round table with Canada’s long-term institutional investors, as well as sessions focused on promoting key sectors that include energy, critical minerals, digital technologies, agri-food and education.
At the conclusion of the visit, Minister Sidhu and Minister Goyal issued a joint statement reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties and delivering tangible outcomes that support economic growth and increased commercial opportunities for businesses in both countries.
Canada’s engagements with India continue to see positive momentum along a two-track approach: one pursuing stronger economic engagement for the benefit of workers and businesses in both countries, and another through which we will maintain a constructive dialogue on security and law enforcement.
Finally, Minister Sidhu announced that he is looking forward to bringing a business delegation to India later this year.
Quotes
“Canada and India share a strong, growing economic partnership that is creating real opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses. Minister Goyal’s visit underscores our shared commitment to advance the CEPA trade negotiations, double two-way trade and deepen our commercial ties as Canada diversifies its global trade. Canada is a stable and reliable partner, open for business and investment, and we look forward to building a more prosperous and secure economic future for both our countries.”
- Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade
Quick facts
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Two rounds of negotiations for the Canada–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) have been completed, laying the groundwork for the third round, which Canada will host. The CEPA is expected to conclude by end of this year (2026).
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Canada is looking to double exports to markets beyond the United States over the next decade, including doubling two-way trade with India to $70 billion annually by 2030.
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In 2025, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and India reached $13.6 billion.
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Canadian exports to India totalled $3.9 billion, led by vegetables, mineral fuels and oils, and wood pulp. Merchandise imports from India amounted to $9.7 billion, primarily consisting of precious stones and metals, machinery and pharmaceutical products.
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Service exports, valued at $15.2 billion, remained unchanged in 2025, with education-related travel accounting for the largest share and representing 6.3% of Canada’s total service exports.
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Service imports from India totalled $4.5 billion, up 3% from 2024, and represented 1.9% of Canada’s total service imports.
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Associated links
- Minister Sidhu and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry continue to strengthen Canada-India trade cooperation
- Minister Sidhu advances Canada-India comprehensive economic partnership agreement discussions during visit to India
- Prime Minister Carney secures ambitious new partnership with India focused on energy, talent, and technology
- Doing business in India
- Canada-India relations
Contacts
Huzaif Qaisar
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade
343-575-8816
Huzaif.Qaisar@international.gc.ca
Mujtaba Hussain
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade
343-203-7332
Mujtaba.Hussain@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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