India and Canada Sign Commercial Agreements as Trade Talks Continue

Indian and Canadian entities signed commercial agreements and memoranda of understanding in Karnataka on Friday, with Canada's Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, present at the ceremony, as per The Economic Times news reports. 

The signing comes as both countries work towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which they aim to conclude by the end of 2026. 

Bilateral Trade Stood at $7.96 Billion 

Trade between India and Canada reached $7.96 billion in FY26, according to government data cited in the report. 

The proposed CEPA could add another $4.4 billion to $6.5 billion to bilateral trade, based on official estimates. 

Next Round of CEPA Talks in November 

Negotiators met in Ottawa from October 5 to 9. Discussions covered trade in goods and services, investment, rules of origin, intellectual property rights and trade remedies. 

The next round is scheduled for New Delhi in early November, with both countries targeting a year-end conclusion. 

Agreement Could Bring Gains for Canada 

Official estimates also project a GDP gain of $3.8 billion to $5.9 billion for Canada by 2035 under the proposed agreement. These are projections, and the gains have not yet been realised. 

Sidhu Highlights Technology and Aviation 

At a business reception in Bengaluru, Sidhu identified artificial intelligence, quantum computing, aviation infrastructure, digital innovation, sustainability and smart mobility as areas for closer cooperation. 

He also said India was a market Canada could not afford to ignore as it seeks to double its exports to countries outside the United States over the next decade. 

Canadian Companies Already Have an Indian Presence 

Companies named in the report include Kinaxis, OpenText, CGI, CAE, Magellan Aerospace, MDA Space and BCE Global Tech. 

Sidhu also pointed to Fairfax Financial's investments in Bengaluru airport, along with work by Canadian firms Genetec, Transoft Solutions and RBH Access at the airport. 

Read More:India’s Unemployment Rate Holds at 5% in September 2026! 

Conclusion 

The commercial agreements add to existing business ties between the two countries, while the next round of negotiations will bring them closer to their target of concluding CEPA by the end of 2026. 

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