Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): Canada has announced a “Team Canada” trade mission to India scheduled for November, aimed at deepening economic cooperation in key sectors including artificial intelligence, clean energy, semiconductors, critical minerals, nuclear energy, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.
India and Canada also reaffirmed their long-term ambition of expanding bilateral trade toward a $50 billion target, as India’s Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal engaged in high-level discussions with Canadian ministers, investors, and business leaders in Toronto, with a strong focus on accelerating negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Goyal began his three-day visit in the Canadian capital by meeting Prime Minister Mark Carney, where he conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “warm greetings” to the Canadian leader.
The meeting was also attended by Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Carney posted on social media that both countries are actively working toward a free trade agreement, calling it a “game changer for Canadian workers and businesses” that would unlock access to a “massive new market,” adding that negotiations are being pursued “fast.”
During the visit, Goyal held a series of engagements under the Canada-India Building Bridges initiative, including discussions with federal ministers, institutional investors, and industry associations focused on strengthening bilateral trade, investment flows, and long-term economic partnerships. Speaking at the main business event, Goyal highlighted what he called the “growing complementarities between India and Canada,” stressing the need for a “more robust and predictable business ecosystem” driven by stronger government and industry collaboration. He urged Canadian companies to deepen engagement with India’s rapidly expanding economy, pointing to opportunities in infrastructure development, financial services, clean energy transition, digital transformation, and global supply chain diversification. Goyal also co-chaired a Canada-India Investment Roundtable with Canadian counterparts, where discussions focused on India’s economic reforms, regulatory modernization, and ease of doing business initiatives. He emphasized India’s expanding role in global manufacturing and technology, supported by a skilled workforce, policy incentives, and rapidly growing digital infrastructure. Canadian ministers present at the meetings reiterated Canada’s interest in expanding cooperation with India, particularly in clean technology, energy transition, and critical minerals supply chains. Officials also emphasized that the upcoming trade mission will help Canadian companies directly explore opportunities in India and build stronger commercial linkages.
Representatives from CHCC (Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce) and members of the broader business community also participated in the engagements, contributing perspectives on investment facilitation, small business collaboration, and diaspora-led trade connections between the two countries.
According to officials, the planned “Team Canada” trade mission will bring Canadian companies to India to explore joint ventures, technology partnerships, and investment opportunities across high-growth sectors, further strengthening economic engagement between the two nations.
