Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal arrived in Canada on May 25, 2026, leading a 150-member business delegation in a three-day mission aimed at fast-tracking free trade negotiations and boosting bilateral economic ties. The visit — the largest trade delegation India has ever sent to Canada — signals a concerted push to finalise a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of 2026 and to expand India‑Canada trade to $50 billion by 2030.
The delegation includes senior executives from key Indian sectors such as artificial intelligence, critical minerals, clean energy, aerospace, pharmaceuticals and textiles. According to Commerce Ministry figures cited during the visit, bilateral trade stood at about $8.5 billion in the 2025–26 fiscal year, underscoring the scale of the gap negotiators aim to close within the next four years.
Goyal’s trip follows a recent thaw in ties after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to India on March 2, 2026, which established the Terms of Reference for renewed trade talks. Over the three days, Goyal will hold bilateral dialogues in Ottawa and an extensive two‑day corporate schedule in Toronto, including meetings with Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, Foreign Minister Anita Anand, and a courtesy call on Prime Minister Carney.
A central theme of the mission is securing access to Canada’s natural resource base to support India’s energy transition. “Canada is exceptionally strong in oil, gas, critical minerals, and advanced mining, while India offers an unparalleled skilled workforce and immense manufacturing strengths. We are looking to increase the number of Canadian companies operating in India from 600 to over 1,000 in the coming years,” Goyal said in a statement.
Beyond tariff and goods negotiations, New Delhi is prioritising long‑term investment. Minister Goyal is scheduled to court the CEOs of Canada’s major “Maple 8” pension funds, seeking heavy institutional capital for India’s public infrastructure push. Indian officials said they want these funds to back highways, green energy grids and digital networks through substantial, long‑term commitments.
The scale and composition of the delegation reflect India’s intent to diversify economic partnerships amid global volatility and to move rapidly from diplomatic reset to concrete trade and investment outcomes. Success in Ottawa and Toronto would mark a significant milestone in India‑Canada relations and set a clear timetable for ambitious economic integration through 2030.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/india-dispatches-largest-ever-business-delegation-to-canada-as-piyush-goyal-lands-for-high-stakes-free-trade-talks-14014761.html
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Publish Date: 2026-05-25 08:54:00
