OTTAWA, Canada (Diya TV) — India and Canada are moving to rebuild trade ties as Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal arrived in Canada this week with the largest Indian business delegation ever sent to the country. The visit signals a major push by both governments to expand investment, strengthen energy cooperation, and revive stalled free trade talks.
More than 100 senior business leaders from sectors including mining, energy, aerospace, and automotive joined Goyal for meetings in Ottawa from Monday through Wednesday. Canadian officials say both countries want to finalize a broader free trade agreement by the end of 2026. The visit comes months after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney traveled to Mumbai and New Delhi to reset relations with India after years of diplomatic tension.
Goyal is scheduled to meet Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu in Ottawa to continue discussions on the proposed Comprehensive Economic and Partnership Agreement, often called CEPA.
India’s commerce ministry said both countries remain committed to “fast-tracking” negotiations. Officials from both sides hope the agreement will significantly increase bilateral trade and investment over the next decade. Canada Trade said the two countries aim to double trade to $70 billion by 2030. The social media post described the Indian delegation as the largest business group India has ever sent abroad.
Goyal said Carney’s visit to India earlier this year helped create momentum for a “complete overhaul” of Canada-India relations. He added that both nations see strong opportunities in energy, infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing. Sidhu said officials from both countries have maintained close contact through what he called “WhatsApp diplomacy.” Canada also plans to send another delegation to India later this year to continue negotiations.
Energy security has become a central part of the growing Canada-India partnership. During Carney’s March visit to India, both countries signed several agreements focused on nuclear energy, critical minerals, and infrastructure investment. The deals included a $2.6 billion agreement to supply about 22 million pounds of uranium to India for nuclear power generation. Officials also announced 10 commercial agreements valued at more than $5.5 billion.
Canada sees India as a major long-term partner as global demand rises for clean energy and critical minerals. India, meanwhile, is looking for reliable energy suppliers to support its fast-growing economy. Carney said in March that the relationship represents more than a diplomatic reset.
“This is not merely the renewal of a relationship,” Carney said at the time. “It is the expansion of a valued partnership with new ambition, focus, and foresight.”
Trade talks between the two countries first began in 2010. Ottawa suspended negotiations in 2023 after Canada accused India of involvement in the killing of a Sikh activist in Surrey, British Columbia. India denied the allegations. Since taking office in 2025, Carney has made rebuilding ties with India a major foreign policy priority.
As Canada works to deepen ties with India, Carney is also preparing for a major investment-focused visit to New York City later this week. The prime minister plans to meet investors, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders on May 27 and 28 to promote Canada as a leading destination for global investment.
Carney is expected to speak at the Economic Club of New York, where he will outline Canada’s economic strategy and efforts to attract large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects. The Canadian government says it aims to help generate more than $1 trillion in total investment over the next five years through public and private partnerships.
Officials say Canada offers strong advantages for investors, including a highly educated workforce, a stable banking system, and a low debt-to-GDP ratio compared with other G7 countries. Canada is also promoting its critical mineral reserves, artificial intelligence sector, and large infrastructure pipeline. Government officials say 22 major national projects are currently advancing in areas such as nuclear energy, liquefied natural gas, transportation, and electricity.
