Politics · India Bureau
India, Canada launch fourth round of trade pact negotiations
India and Canada have begun the fourth round of talks to finalise a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with both nations aiming to conclude negotiations by year-end. The five-day discussions will cover trade in goods and services, rules of origin, and technical barriers.
LSN India ·
New Delhi — India and Canada commenced the fourth round of negotiations for a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on Monday, as the two countries push to finalise the pact within 2025.
The five-day negotiating session, running through September 18, will address key areas including trade in goods and services, rules of origin, and technical trade barriers. The talks follow the third round held in Ottawa during July, with both sides maintaining momentum toward their year-end target for concluding the agreement.
The CEPA negotiations carry significant economic weight, as India and Canada have set an ambitious bilateral trade target of USD 50 billion by 2030. Current trade levels, however, remain modest. Two-way commerce stood at USD 7.95 billion in 2025-26, representing an 8.22 per cent decline from USD 8.66 billion in the previous fiscal year. Indian exports to Canada totalled USD 4.67 billion, while imports reached USD 3.28 billion.
India's key exports to Canada comprise pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, seafood, cotton garments, and electronic goods. Canadian supplies to India primarily include pulses, pearls and semi-precious stones, coal, and fertilisers. A comprehensive trade agreement is expected to address tariff barriers and regulatory hurdles affecting these commodity flows.