February 20, 2026
RED FM News Desk
India’s top diplomat in Ottawa says Canada and India could reach a comprehensive trade agreement within 12 months, signalling renewed momentum in negotiations that have stalled several times since first launching in 2010.
Speaking ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s expected visit to India, High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik said the proposed timeline is achievable given both countries’ recent experience negotiating free trade agreements and the shifting global economic landscape.
“We expect it to move much faster, given that both sides have gained considerable experience concluding trade deals in recent years,” Patnaik said in an interview.
Carney’s visit is expected to include meetings with senior government leaders and business executives in New Delhi and Mumbai, as the two countries look to strengthen economic ties.
Last November, Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to formally relaunch negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The proposed pact would cover a broad range of sectors, including goods, services, investment, agriculture and digital trade.
Canada and India began talks on a comprehensive agreement 16 years ago but later scaled them back to focus on a more limited, sector-specific deal. The renewed push toward a full CEPA marks a significant shift in ambition.
Patnaik pointed to a series of agreements signed over the past year in areas such as energy cooperation, climate change, advanced research and climate-resilient agriculture as evidence of growing alignment between the two countries.
“Both prime ministers are very keen,” he said. “The intent is clearly there on both sides.”
He also argued that structural differences between the two economies could make a deal easier to finalize. Canada is a major exporter of commodities, while India represents one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing consumer markets, limiting direct industrial competition.
Ottawa has also indicated optimism about the negotiations. A spokesperson for Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu described a comprehensive agreement as “a powerful economic anchor for our partnership” and confirmed that Canada completed public consultations last month in preparation for formal talks.
“We have been engaged in productive discussions on the framework for CEPA negotiations with India,” the spokesperson said. “We look forward to advancing discussions and working swiftly toward concluding a high-quality agreement.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand previously stated that both countries aim to double bilateral trade to US$50 billion by 2030, a target that would likely depend on successfully concluding a comprehensive deal.
While past negotiations have faltered, officials on both sides now suggest the geopolitical and economic climate may provide fresh incentive to finally bring a long-discussed agreement across the finish line.
Loading ...
