India and Canada will begin the fifth round of negotiations for their proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Ottawa today. The five-day round is scheduled to continue until October 9, as both countries work towards concluding the trade agreement by the end of 2026.
The fourth round of negotiations concluded in New Delhi on September 18. Following that round, both sides agreed to accelerate the pace of discussions and move ahead with the fifth round in October.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Fifth round of India-Canada CEPA negotiations begins in Ottawa on October 5.
The five-day talks are scheduled to continue until October 9.
The fourth round concluded in New Delhi on September 18.
Both countries are targeting completion of CEPA negotiations by the end of 2026.
India and Canada have set an aspiration to expand bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion by 2030.
Energy and critical minerals remain important areas of bilateral economic cooperation.
The proposed CEPA is aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties by addressing issues related to trade in goods and services, market access, rules of origin and other areas of economic cooperation.
India and Canada formally relaunched CEPA negotiations during Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to India in March 2026. The two countries have committed to completing the negotiations by the end of this year.
The India-Canada joint statement issued during Prime Minister Carney’s March visit said both sides aspire to expand bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion by 2030. The two countries have also agreed to deepen cooperation in areas including energy and critical minerals.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
A comprehensive trade agreement could expand market access for businesses in both countries and strengthen cooperation across trade, investment and strategic economic sectors.
