Canadian trade minister Maninder Sidhu is expected to visit India in mid-October, his second trip in less than a month, as the two sides fast-track talks for a trade deal with the aim of concluding them before Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’s visit to Canada in December, people aware of the matter said.
India is separately engaged with Mexico to negotiate a bilateral trade deal. “Obviously, with a trade deal, it isn’t done until there is agreement on all issues. In Mumbai, Sidhu also met business leaders representing Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Integrated Health System, JSW group and CAE to explore opportunities for collaboration in areas such as life sciences, clean technologies, energy transition and aerospace.
Earlier, Goyal visited Canada during May 25-27 with a large Indian business delegation comprising industry leaders from more than 100 companies in a step towards the full revival of India-Canada economic relations, the people said. Both sides are working overtime to finalise the trade deal before December, aiming to raise two-way trade to $70 billion by 2030. Bilateral goods and services trade between India and Canada in 2025 was $30.4 billion, with merchandise trade contributing $13.6 billion.
Ahead of Sidhu’s visit, commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal may also meet senior Canadian trade officials in Canada while travelling to Mexico, they said. But both sides are intent on concluding the negotiations as soon as possible,” one person said.
Canada currently exports goods such as vegetables, mineral fuels and oils, and wood pulp to India worth $3.9 billion. It imports Indian merchandise worth $9.7 billion, including precious stones, metals, machinery and pharmaceuticals.
The people said the potential is quite high as India can purchase energy from Canada in large quantities.
Sidhu’s visit, expected around October 15, will coincide with a trip to India by a large Canadian trade mission to explore commercial and investment opportunities, the people familiar with the planning on both sides said.
