Canada optimistic about concluding trade talks with India by year-end, minister says

Canada is optimistic about concluding negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) with India by year-end, the country's minister for ​international trade said on Saturday. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had ‌previously said during a trip to New Delhi in March that the two countries would aim to agree on a free trade pact by the end of the year. "I'm feeling very, ​very optimistic and energetic that we can get it done in ​the coming months," Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu told Reuters ⁠in an interview during a visit to India's financial capital, Mumbai. I am in India this week with a team of more than 50 negotiators to advance negotiations on the Canada–India trade agreement. As we work through Round 4, I met with Minister Piyush Goyal to build on the progress we have made and maintain momentum toward concluding an ambitious… pic.twitter.com/EUjdmAkNHe — Maninder Sidhu (@MSidhuLiberal) September 18, 2026 Indian trade ​negotiators are expected to be in Canada next month and leaders from ​the two countries are likely to meet on the sidelines of the G-20 gathering in December, Sidhu said. Read More: New US sanctions bill on Russia puts India's Modi in a bind One main area of discussion is the energy sector. A Shell-led LNG export ​facility was launched in Canada last year and the country has five more ​projects in various phases of development. "We're having conversations with Indian firms on how they can ‌access ⁠those projects, but also how they can invest and secure supply in those projects," Sidhu said, declining to share further details. Beyond liquefied natural gas, both countries are looking to expand cooperation in nuclear energy, where India is ​looking to significantly boost capacity. "Canada ​has a long ⁠history in the nuclear industry, and I do see a lot of benefit for Canadian companies and industries ​to help build up a supply chain here in India," ​Sidhu said. Sidhu ⁠said, without giving any further details, that a number of large Indian business houses, from Reliance Industries to Mahindra and Mahindra and the JSW Group ⁠, are exploring ​investments in critical mineral projects in Canada ​as a way to secure supply chains. Companies are looking at ways to make co-investments as supply ​chains are getting weaponised, he said.