New Delhi, May 29 (APAC Media): India and Canada have launched a new Trade and Investment Forum aimed at strengthening business engagement, expanding commercial partnerships and boosting economic cooperation between the two countries.
The announcement came after Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal concluded his three-day official visit to Canada from May 25 to May 27.
He held discussions with Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and several business leaders.
According to a joint statement issued on Friday, the newly launched Canada-India Trade and Investment Forum will serve as a platform to bring together businesses from both countries and encourage new investment opportunities and direct commercial collaborations.
This development is viewed as a crucial step in improving economic ties between both sides.
It comes at a time when both countries are looking towards strengthening global trade partnerships and diversify supply chains.
During the meetings, both India and Canada agreed on the importance of improving connectivity between India and Canada.
This includes stronger people-to-people ties, smoother business mobility and better commercial linkages.
Officials said these areas would play a key role in supporting future trade growth and investment flows between the two countries.
The two sides also reiterated their commitment towards finalising the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a proposed trade pact that has been under discussion for several years.
India-Canada have now set a target to conclude the negotiations by the end of 2026.
If finalised, the agreement is expected to improve market access for businesses, strengthen resilient supply chains and create new opportunities for two-way economic growth.
Why The Trade Forum Matters
The newly launched forum is expected to act as a direct bridge between Indian and Canadian companies looking for business expansion, partnerships and investment opportunities.
For India, Canada remains an important partner in sectors such as clean energy, agriculture, technology, education and critical minerals.
At the same time, Canadian companies are increasingly looking at India as a major growth market due to its expanding economy and large consumer base.
The discussions also come amid growing global focus on securing supply chains and reducing overdependence on limited trade routes or regions.
Canada To Lead Trade Mission to India
As part of the next phase of engagement, Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu confirmed that Canada will lead a “Team Canada Trade Mission” to India later this year.
The visit is expected to include Canadian business leaders and industry representatives looking to explore investment and partnership opportunities in India.
Piyush Goyal also met several business executives during his Canada visit to discuss ways to deepen trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
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