Canada targets year-end India trade pact as talks accelerate
Anita Anand sets out Canada’s year-end goal while India’s PMO calls for an early conclusion of CEPA talks. No agreement has yet been signed.
AI-generated illustrative image representing India–Canada trade talks; it does not depict an actual event.
Summary: Canada says it aims to finish a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India by the end of 2026. No agreement has been signed, and negotiations are continuing.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said on 14 October that Canada hopes to finalize a trade agreement with India by year-end. This is Canada’s stated target, not a binding deadline jointly announced by both governments.
Anand met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi the same day. They discussed expanding cooperation in trade, science and technology, defence, security, energy, education and people-to-people ties, according to India’s Prime Minister’s Office.
The PMO said Modi stressed turning the positive momentum in the relationship into tangible outcomes, including the early conclusion of CEPA negotiations.
Anand also met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Global Affairs Canada said they reviewed progress in trade, energy, people-to-people ties, security and defence cooperation.
- Negotiations are continuing; no trade agreement has been signed.
- The end-of-2026 date is Canada’s stated target.
- India’s official statement calls for an early conclusion of the negotiations.
