Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Tuesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada in December as both nations aim to conclude a long-awaited bilateral trade agreement by the end of the year.
UNGA Announcement and the December Target
Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that bilateral trade negotiations with India are advancing rapidly. Carney stated that the two countries are targeting the middle of December to finalize a new trade accord, coinciding with the G20 summit.
“We’re making good progress in our trade negotiations with India. It is an exceptionally important relationship, on many, many levels. People-to-people levels, security levels and also trade and economic. He (PM Modi) will be visiting Canada around that time. I very much look forward to hosting him.”
Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
Carney’s push to deepen ties with New Delhi forms part of a broader strategy to reduce Canada’s economic dependence on the United States as trade relations face turbulence under President Donald Trump. In addition to working toward a doubling of two-way trade with India to $70 billion annually, Carney has pursued diversification efforts including exploratory ties with Europe and an electric vehicle tariff arrangement with China.
Fast-Tracking the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
The diplomatic announcement follows an intensive round of ministerial talks in Mumbai, where Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu concluded the fourth round of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Following those discussions, both governments agreed to accelerate the timeline.
“I have concluded the fourth round of negotiations for the Canada trade deal with my counterpart Mr Maninder Sidhu in Mumbai on Friday. Very productive discussions and both sides have resolved to fast-track negotiations, in view of which our team is now slated to go for the fifth round.”
Piyush Goyal, Union Commerce Minister of India
Negotiating teams are scheduled to convene for the fifth round of CEPA talks from October 5 to October 9. Goyal noted that the accelerated pace makes the upcoming ninety days a defining period for the economic relationship. India and Canada previously pursued trade talks across nine rounds between 2022 and 2023 before negotiations stalled.
Navigating Trade Flows and Past Diplomatic Strains
India’s key exports to Canada include pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, seafood, and electronic goods, while Canada supplies pulses, coal, fertilizers, paper, and crude petroleum. Beyond merchandise, the nations have established cooperation across energy, critical minerals, technology, artificial intelligence, talent, and defense.
The renewed economic momentum marks a significant turnaround from the severe diplomatic rupture of 2023. Bilateral ties deteriorated sharply after former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau publicly alleged that agents of the Indian government were linked to the killing of Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia—allegations that New Delhi repeatedly denied while expelling diplomats.
Investment Protection Pacts and Remaining Milestones
During a visit to Toronto, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that India and Canada are aiming to conclude an investment protection agreement by the end of 2026, pending final discussions with her Canadian counterpart Francois-Philippe Champagne.
While Carney confirmed that Prime Minister Modi is expected to travel to Canada in December, Indian High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik noted that trade officials intend to complete the text of the agreement ahead of the visit, positioning the December summit as the formal signing venue.
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