Canada is preparing to send almost 300 business delegates to India next week, marking its largest trade mission to the nation in over 30 years. This initiative aims to strengthen commercial relations and aims to more than double bilateral trade by the year 2030. The delegation will be led by Maninder Sidhu, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, and is scheduled to visit Mumbai and Bengaluru from October 12 to 17, according to an official announcement released on Friday.

Objectives of the Delegation

The primary goal of this mission is to enhance connections between Canadian businesses and significant Indian stakeholders, industry leaders, and potential customers. The initiative is designed to foster partnerships that are expected to create jobs in Canada. Minister Sidhu emphasised that by aligning Canadian expertise in sectors such as aerospace, agribusiness, and clean technology with the increasing demand in India, Canada aims to diversify its trade and attract fresh investment opportunities.

In addition, this mission coincides with ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two nations, which are set to be concluded by the end of this year. The fifth round of CEPA discussions took place in Ottawa from October 5 to 9. A preliminary meeting was also held on October 1, where Sidhu met with India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Milwaukee, USA.

They discussed advancements in CEPA negotiations and efforts to strengthen bilateral trade and investment. The renewed focus on a comprehensive trade agreement was originally announced during Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to India in March. The two countries set a target to elevate two-way trade to CAD 70 billion, approximately Rs 4.75 lakh crore, by 2030.

Current Trade Statistics

According to data from the Canadian government, bilateral trade in goods and services reached CAD 30.4 billion in 2025. Canada’s merchandise exports to India were valued at CAD 3.9 billion, primarily consisting of vegetables, mineral fuels, oils, and wood pulp. Conversely, Canada’s merchandise imports from India totalled CAD 9.7 billion, mainly comprising precious stones and metals, machinery, and pharmaceutical products.

This trade mission forms part of Canada’s broader strategy to diversify its export markets, particularly beyond reliance on the United States. India is viewed as an essential component of this diversification effort. The Canadian Indo-Pacific Strategy, launched in 2022, identifies five key strategic goals—trade, security, sustainability, people-to-people connections, and regional engagement.

Implications for Future Cooperation

The forthcoming trade mission highlights Canada’s commitment to enhancing trade and investment relationships with India, while also supporting the ongoing CEPA discussions. It represents a significant step toward realising the target for increased bilateral trade by the year 2030. The collaboration is expected to lead to mutual benefits for both nations, facilitating economic growth and development in their respective regions.

Ultimately, the initiative underlines the potential for expanded relations in various sectors, paving the way for increased cooperation between Canada and India. As the two nations work closely to finalise the CEPA, this trade mission stands as a pivotal moment in their economic partnership.

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