India and Canada reinvigorate trade ties at Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi
New Delhi, November 13
India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Canada's Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Maninder Sidhu, co-chaired the 7th India-Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment (MDTI) here in the national capital on Thursday.
The meeting marked a renewed phase of engagement aimed at reinvigorating bilateral trade and investment ties and setting a forward-looking agenda for cooperation, in line with the Joint Statement, "Renewing Momentum towards a Stronger Partnership" of October 13, 2025, which identified trade as the cornerstone of bilateral economic growth and resilience.
The Ministers reaffirmed the enduring strength of the India-Canada relationship, anchored in shared democratic values, cultural diversity, and growing economic complementarities.
According to a statement from India's commerce ministry, they highlighted the vital role of the vibrant Indian diaspora of nearly 2.9 million and over 427,000 Indian students in Canada, whose contributions continue to enrich both societies and serve as a bridge fostering deeper understanding, innovation, and economic collaboration.
Bilateral trade in goods and services between India and Canada stood at USD 18.38 billion in 2023.
The two Ministers welcomed the steady rise in two-way investments and reaffirmed their commitment to fostering an open, transparent, and predictable business environment that supports sustainable and inclusive growth.
The Ministerial Dialogue covered a wide-ranging agenda encompassing key areas of economic cooperation.
According to the commerce ministry, discussions focused on strengthening bilateral economic ties and advancing sectoral collaboration across priority domains, including nutritional security, supply chain resilience, health sector cooperation, and investment facilitation.
The ministers also reviewed recent trade policy developments, covering trade in goods and services, and exchanged views to enhance market access, promote regulatory alignment, and support long-term economic resilience.
"Concluding the dialogue, the Ministers reaffirmed their shared vision to renew and revitalize the India-Canada economic partnership, grounded in mutual respect, trust, and a spirit of collaboration. They agreed to translate today's constructive discussions into tangible outcomes that advance shared prosperity and reflect the depth and dynamism, to define India-Canada relations," the commerce ministry statement concluded.
— ANI
Reader Comments
$18.38 billion trade is good but we can do much better! Hope this dialogue leads to concrete agreements that help Indian businesses access Canadian markets more easily. The diaspora connection is our biggest strength.
While I appreciate the positive tone, I hope Canada addresses the concerns of Indian students facing challenges there. Trade partnerships should also ensure the welfare of our students abroad.
Supply chain resilience is crucial in today's uncertain world. India and Canada complement each other perfectly - our manufacturing capabilities with their technology and resources. Jai Hind! ðŸ™
Good to see relations warming up again. The 2.9 million diaspora is indeed a living bridge. Hope this leads to more educational and cultural exchanges that benefit both countries.
As a small business owner exporting handicrafts, I'm excited about potential market access improvements. Canada has always appreciated Indian craftsmanship. Let's make this partnership work for MSMEs too!
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