India, Canada Begin Fourth Round of Talks on Proposed Trade Pact
- IBEF
- September 15, 2026
India and Canada have begun the fourth round of negotiations for the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with both sides seeking to conclude the talks in 2026. The five-day round, being held from September 14 to 18, will cover key areas including trade in goods and services, rules of origin and technical trade barriers. The third round of negotiations was held in Ottawa in July. The talks are significant as India and Canada have set a target of increasing bilateral trade to Rs. 4.42 lakh crore (US$ 50 billion) by 2030. In FY2025-26, bilateral trade declined 8.22% to Rs. 70,250 crore (US$ 7.95 billion), comprising Indian exports of Rs. 41,270 crore (US$ 4.67 billion) and imports of Rs. 28,990 crore (US$ 3.28 billion), compared with Rs. 74,883 crore (US$ 8.66 billion) in FY2024-25. The proposed trade pact is expected to provide a framework for expanding market access and strengthening economic engagement between the two countries.
India's key exports to Canada include pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, seafood, cotton garments, electronic goods and chemicals, while major imports comprise pulses, pearls and semi-precious stones, coal, fertilisers, paper and petroleum crude. India's services exports to Canada include telecommunications, computer and information services and other business services. The negotiations on goods, services, rules of origin and technical trade barriers are expected to address areas that can support greater bilateral commerce and improve market access. Canada is also home to more than 425,000 Indian students and a large Indian community, contributing to strong people-to-people and economic linkages. Progress on the CEPA could further strengthen trade and investment ties while creating opportunities for businesses across sectors. The ongoing negotiations reflect efforts by both countries to deepen their economic partnership and work towards the long-term bilateral trade target.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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