Ottawa/New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Canada is preparing to send its largest trade delegation to India in more than three decades, with International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu leading a mission aimed at expanding commercial ties and creating new business opportunities between the two countries.
The delegation will include approximately 300 business representatives from a range of industries, reflecting Canada’s interest in strengthening its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies. Sidhu said India’s population of more than 1.4 billion people offers Canadian companies significant potential to reach new markets and build long-term partnerships.
The trade mission will focus on several key sectors, including aerospace, clean energy, technology, life sciences, agri-food and forestry. Through meetings and business engagements, participating companies will seek opportunities to develop partnerships, explore investment prospects and expand commercial connections.
Alongside business discussions, Canada and India are continuing negotiations on a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement is intended to create additional trade opportunities and improve access to markets for businesses in both countries.
Sidhu said the government’s objective is to translate growing commercial interest into tangible benefits for Canadian workers and businesses. The scale of the delegation also signals Ottawa’s push to strengthen economic engagement with India through private-sector cooperation and formal trade negotiations.
The mission comes as both countries explore ways to broaden economic cooperation across multiple industries. The outcome of the visit and progress in CEPA negotiations could help shape the next phase of Canada-India trade relations.
