Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. File.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Canada are progressing and the next round of talks will be held from October 5, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday (September 21, 2026).
“…the next 90 days should be a very defining period in the Canada-India relationship,” he told reporters in New Delhi.
The fourth round of negotiations concluded in New Delhi on September 18. The talks are moving at a faster pace as both the countries are targeting to conclude the negotiations by end of this year.
“Both sides have resolved to fast track negotiations, in view of which our team is now slated to go for the fifth round on October 5,” Mr. Goyal said.
Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu was in Mumbai last week to hold talks with Mr. Goyal.
India’s major exports to Canada include pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, seafood, cotton garments, electronic goods and chemicals. Key imports from Canada include pulses, pearls and semi-precious stones, coal, fertilisers, paper and crude petroleum.
India’s services exports to Canada are led by telecommunications, computer and information services, and other business services.
Two-way trade reached $30.4 billion in 2025 and the target is double that to $70 billion by 2030.
On India, EU trade pact, Mr. Goyal said it is expected to come into force in the coming months.
Mr. Goyal said the pact is expected to be ratified by the EU parliament in the next three months or so and is likely to come in to effect within the next six-seven months.
On the India-Chile trade agreement, the minister said Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal recently visited Chile to review the progress of talks.
“I believe in the coming few months, we will hear some good news.” he added.
Published – September 21, 2026 04:52 pm IST
