A 300-member Canadian business delegation will visit India from October 12 to 17, 2026, to boost trade. Led by Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, the mission aims to finalize the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by year-end and reach a bilateral trade target of CAD 70 billion by 2030.
Canada is launching its largest trade mission to India in over three decades, with a delegation of nearly 300 business representatives scheduled to arrive in Mumbai and Bengaluru between October 12 and 17, 2026. This visit is a critical part of Canada’s strategy to deepen commercial ties with India and reduce its export reliance on the United States.
The core objective of the visit is to push for the conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA. This follows the fifth round of negotiations between the two nations, which concluded in Ottawa earlier in October 2026. Both countries are working under a timeline to finalize the agreement by the end of 2026. The urgency of this mission was highlighted by recent high-level discussions between Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who have been working to address structural hurdles that have historically slowed market access.
Targeting Higher Trade Volumes
The economic goal for this partnership is ambitious. In 2025, bilateral trade between the two countries stood at CAD 30.4 billion. Canada has now set a formal target to increase this figure to CAD 70 billion by 2030. To reach this goal, the delegation is focusing on integrating Canadian expertise in specific sectors where there is significant demand in India, including aerospace, clean technology, and agri-food industries.
Currently, Canadian exports to India are largely dominated by mineral fuels, wood pulp, and vegetable products. Conversely, India’s exports to Canada are centered on machinery, precious metals, and pharmaceutical goods. The government-led mission aims to move beyond these traditional channels and open new investment corridors in manufacturing and advanced technology.
Managing Risks and Expectations
While the push for closer economic ties is strong, investors should note that the path to a final agreement is complex. Trade negotiations between the two nations have occasionally been sensitive to changes in bilateral diplomatic relations, which have seen periods of fluctuation in recent years. Achieving the CAD 70 billion target will require overcoming significant structural barriers and aligning regulatory frameworks, which remains a core challenge for the negotiators.
Market observers will be closely tracking the outcome of the October 12–17 visit. Key monitorables include any specific announcements regarding market access, progress on the CEPA text, and signals from management teams in the aerospace, agri-food, and clean energy sectors regarding potential new partnerships or investment commitments. Investors may also watch for further updates from the Commerce Ministry on the timeline for signing the trade deal.