In a significant development, Mark Carney has hailed a proposed free trade agreement with India as a transformative opportunity during discussions with Piyush Goyal, India’s commerce minister, in Ottawa. The meeting centered on advancing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with both parties expressing a strong commitment to concluding the deal by the end of the year. Carney emphasized that the agreement promises to unlock substantial opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses, particularly in sectors such as energy, agriculture, technology, and education.
During the talks, Goyal extended greetings from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and underscored the importance of strengthening long-term bilateral ties and expediting trade negotiations. The discussions were further enriched by the presence of Canada’s international trade minister, Maninder Sidhu. Both India and Canada confirmed that two negotiation rounds have already been completed, and preparations are underway for Canada to host the next round.
Accompanying Goyal on his visit is a substantial business delegation from India, comprising over 100 representatives. They are actively engaged in trade and investment discussions scheduled to take place in Toronto, aiming to explore and enhance business opportunities between the two nations.
As part of efforts to broaden cooperation across various sectors, Goyal also held meetings with Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand and agriculture minister Heath MacDonald. The renewed diplomatic activity signifies a notable improvement in India-Canada relations, which had soured in 2023 following tensions over allegations concerning the killing of Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada — accusations that India had dismissed, made by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The diplomatic thaw began following Carney’s assumption of office in 2025, resulting in renewed diplomatic engagement and the revival of CEPA negotiations, marking a turning point in the relationship between the two countries.