New York, September 23 (Daily Kiran) : Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his expectation for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Canada in December. This visit comes as both nations strive to finalize a trade agreement by the end of 2026.
During a press briefing in New York on Tuesday, held alongside the United Nations General Assembly, Carney remarked on the “good progress” being made in trade discussions with India. He emphasized the significance of the bilateral relationship, stating, “It is a very important relationship on many levels… He (Prime Minister Modi) will visit Canada, and I am very eager to host him.”
Earlier this week, Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand expressed her enthusiasm for meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). She highlighted the strengthening ties between Canada and India, noting on X, “Finalizing CEPA by the end of the year is crucial for our overall strategy. I look forward to speaking with Dr. Jaishankar this week at the UN.”
In addition, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a productive meeting with Canada’s International Trade Minister, Maninder Sidhu, to advance the CEPA discussions. Sidhu shared on X that he completed the fourth round of trade talks in India and stressed the need for ongoing collaboration. He expressed eagerness to meet with Minister Goyal in the coming weeks to maintain momentum toward the CEPA agreement.
Sidhu noted that bilateral trade between Canada and India was valued at $30.8 billion in 2024, with a goal to more than double it to $70 billion by 2030. He mentioned that the CEPA could open new opportunities for Canadian businesses across various sectors, including agriculture, energy, AI, technology, aerospace, and defense.
Goyal also reiterated on X that both parties are committed to expediting negotiations and finalizing the CEPA as soon as possible. He expressed confidence that achieving this agreement would significantly enhance bilateral trade and strengthen the economic partnership for mutual benefit.
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