India and Canada Target Stronger Trade Ties by 2030

India and Canada reaffirm plans to deepen trade, energy, technology and security cooperation, with a target to double bilateral trade by 2030.

India and Canada Move to Deepen Strategic Partnership, Target Trade Expansion by 2030

By News National Editorial Team

New Delhi, October 13, 2026: India and Canada have agreed to build on renewed diplomatic engagement and work towards concrete outcomes in trade, energy, technology, security and people-to-people relations following a conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

According to a statement released by the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office on October 13, both leaders welcomed the increase in bilateral engagement over the past year and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across several sectors.

A key focus is the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The two governments reaffirmed their intention to conclude negotiations at the earliest opportunity, with the broader objective of doubling two-way trade by 2030.

The announcement signals continued efforts to expand economic engagement after a period in which diplomatic relations faced significant challenges. However, the renewed commitment should not be interpreted as a completed trade agreement: negotiations remain an important step before any final agreement can take effect.

Trade and investment take centre stage

The leaders welcomed the ongoing Team Canada Trade Mission in India, led by Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu. The mission is intended to strengthen commercial connections and identify opportunities for businesses in both countries.

Expanding trade could create opportunities across sectors such as goods, services, technology, energy and investment. The scale of any future gains will depend on negotiations, market conditions, regulatory arrangements and the ability of businesses to convert discussions into commercial agreements.

The proposed CEPA is particularly significant because a comprehensive trade agreement can establish clearer rules for market access and economic cooperation. Businesses generally look for greater predictability when deciding whether to invest, enter a new market or build long-term partnerships.

Neither government’s announcement, however, establishes that all outstanding negotiating issues have been resolved. The next important milestone will be a formal announcement on the progress or conclusion of negotiations.

Energy, technology and security cooperation

Energy was among the areas highlighted by both leaders. The Canadian statement also referred to the importance of trusted partners in energy and agriculture amid geopolitical uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific region.

Technology and artificial intelligence were additional areas of cooperation discussed during the call. These fields can support collaboration in research, innovation, skills development and commercial applications, although the statement did not announce a new, specific AI agreement.

The leaders also welcomed a bilateral security dialogue held in India the previous week as part of continuing engagement on security and law enforcement at the national-security-adviser level.

Such discussions provide a channel for officials to address shared concerns and identify areas for cooperation. The published statement did not provide details of individual security operations or announce a new enforcement arrangement.

People-to-people connections remain another important part of the relationship, supported by educational links, family ties, professional mobility and business networks between the two countries.

Canadian foreign minister visits India

The renewed engagement is also being supported by high-level diplomatic visits. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand is scheduled to travel to India from October 13 to October 16, according to a notice from Global Affairs Canada.

During the visit, Anand is expected to meet Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to advance cooperation on trade, energy, people-to-people relations, security and defence.

The visit offers both governments an opportunity to continue discussions at ministerial level. The outcome will depend on the commitments reached during the meetings and any official announcements issued afterward.

The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office also said the leaders agreed to remain in close contact ahead of Modi’s planned visit to Canada in December 2026. That visit is a future engagement and should not be reported as having already taken place.

The main developments to watch are progress in CEPA negotiations, outcomes from the Team Canada Trade Mission, announcements following the foreign ministers’ meetings and preparations for the planned December visit.

For businesses and investors, the immediate significance is the renewed political commitment to deepen economic ties. For consumers and workers, any practical benefits will depend on the eventual terms of an agreement and how successfully companies translate new opportunities into trade, investment and employment.

For now, both governments have confirmed a direction of travel rather than a completed set of new trade commitments. News National will track formal announcements and distinguish negotiated proposals from agreements that have actually been signed or implemented.

Sources

1. Prime Minister of Canada — Prime Minister Carney speaks with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, October 13, 2026

2. Global Affairs Canada — Minister Anita Anand to travel to India and the United Arab Emirates

3. Akashvani News — India and Canada agree to deepen strategic partnership across key areas, October 13, 2026