India, Canada conclude third round of CEPA talks in Ottawa, target 2026 conclusion
New Delhi, July 12
India and Canada have concluded the 3rd round of negotiations for the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in Ottawa, with "positive progress" across tracks.
According to a post by the Department of Commerce, the negotiations were held in Ottawa from July 6-10 2026.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to wrap up talks this year.
"India and Canada concluded the third Round of negotiations for the India-Canada ComprehensiveEconomic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Ottawa from 6-10 July 2026," the Department of Commerce said in a post on X.
"The discussions witnessed positive progress across multiple negotiating tracks, reaffirming the shared commitment of both countries to conclude the negotiations in 2026, in line with the vision of the leaders," it added.
The latest round marks progress in trade engagement between the two countries. A CEPA is expected to go beyond the traditional goods-focused FTA to cover services, investment, government procurement, digital trade, and sustainable development.
Officials from both sides discussed market access for goods, rules of origin, trade in services, and cooperation in key sectors including critical minerals, clean technology, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. Canada is a major source of potash, pulses and energy for India, while India exports pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods and IT services to Canada.
The push to conclude CEPA in 2026 aligns with both governments' focus on diversifying trade partnerships amid global supply chain shifts. For India, a deal with Canada would add to its recent trade agreements with the UAE, Australia and the EFTA bloc. For Canada, India is its 10th largest trading partner and a key market in the Indo-Pacific strategy.
While details of specific chapters agreed in the third round were not disclosed, the statement indicates momentum on technical work ahead of ministerial-level engagement later this year.
Both countries have said they aim to conclude the negotiations in 2026, after which legal vetting and ratification processes will follow before the agreement comes into force.
With two-way goods trade at around CAD $10 billion in recent years, a concluded CEPA is expected to provide a formal framework to expand bilateral commerce and investment flows.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally some good news on the trade front! 🇮🇳 Canada has potash and pulses we need, and we have medicines and tech they want. Win-win if done right. But I'm cautiously optimistic - India has had many FTA negotiations drag on for years. Hope the 2026 deadline is kept.
This is a strategic move for both countries. With global supply chains restructuring, India needs partners like Canada. But I worry about the agricultural sector - Canadian dairy and wheat could hurt our small farmers. Need proper safeguard mechanisms in place before signing.
Good to see India diversifying trade beyond traditional partners. The UAE, Australia, EFTA, and now Canada - this is smart diplomacy. Let's hope the CEPA covers digital trade and data flows properly. That's the future of global commerce.
As an Indian living in Canada, this is great news! Dual benefits - easier for Indian techies to work here, and Canadian companies can invest in India's manufacturing boom. 2026 timeline is tight but the political will seems strong on both sides.
Good initiative but I have a respectful criticism - The government talks about these FTAs but we rarely see benefits reaching the common man. Trade deals often benefit big corporations. Also, Canada hasn't been the most friendly to India on geopolitical issues lately. Need to be pragmatic.
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