India and Canada have begun the fifth round of negotiations for their proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Ottawa.
The latest round is scheduled from October 5 to 9 and is being led by the chief negotiators of the two countries. The fourth round of negotiations concluded in New Delhi on September 18.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
The fifth round of India-Canada CEPA talks is being held in Ottawa from October 5 to 9.
The fourth round concluded in New Delhi on September 18.
Both countries are working toward concluding the negotiations by the end of 2026.
The CEPA is aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment.
Two-way merchandise trade reached C$13.6 billion in 2025, according to Canadian government data.
Two-way goods and services trade stood at C$30.4 billion in 2025.
The two countries have accelerated their engagement with the stated objective of concluding the CEPA negotiations by the end of 2026. Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal discussed progress on the negotiations during their recent meeting in connection with the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting.
The proposed CEPA is intended to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties. Negotiations cover areas including trade in goods and services and other elements of the economic relationship.
India and Canada had formally resumed negotiations after agreeing to restart the process in November 2025. The current round is part of the renewed effort to complete the broader trade agreement.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
A completed CEPA could provide a broader framework for expanding market access and economic cooperation between India and Canada. The agreement could affect trade in goods and services as well as investment and other areas covered by the negotiations. For India, greater access to the Canadian market could create opportunities for exporters, while Canadian businesses could gain greater access to India's growing market. However, the agreement remains under negotiation and its final terms have not yet been settled.
