Canadian and Indian officials have voiced optimism about ongoing negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement, signalling renewed momentum in bilateral economic relations during a business summit held in Regina, even as both sides continue efforts to rebuild ties following the suspension of trade talks in 2023.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Canada's High Commissioner to India Chris Cooter, and India's High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik participated in the Western Canada-India Leaders Summit in Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan. The leaders discussed bilateral relations, progress on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and interacted with business and government delegations.
According to a report by Canadian broadcaster CBC News, Cooter expressed confidence that negotiations on the trade pact were moving forward positively and could be concluded before the end of the year. "The free trade agreement will happen. I have no doubt," Cooter was quoted as saying by CBC. The report also noted that Patnaik confirmed discussions on the agreement were continuing, reflecting growing engagement between the two countries.
Moe described the relationship between Saskatchewan and India as strategically important for the province and pointed to the ongoing trade negotiations as a source of optimism for future economic cooperation.
The remarks came shortly after India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated that both countries were aiming to finalise a free trade agreement before the close of this year. He said the prime ministers of India and Canada had directed officials to complete negotiations and work towards increasing bilateral trade from approximately USD 17 billion to USD 50 billion by 2030.
Trade negotiations between the two nations had been put on hold in 2023 after diplomatic relations deteriorated following Canadian allegations that Indian agents were linked to the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. India strongly rejected the allegations, describing them as "absurd" and "motivated."
However, recent developments suggest a gradual improvement in bilateral engagement. During his visit to Canada earlier this week, Goyal remarked that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent trip to India had "completely changed" the way the two countries viewed each other and had helped lay the groundwork for a broader reset in relations.
Moe also credited Carney for helping revive dialogue with India, citing his visit to Mumbai and New Delhi earlier this year, which the Saskatchewan premier attended as part of the delegation.
Agricultural trade was another major topic of discussion during the summit. According to reports by CBC News and Global News, Moe expressed hope that pulse crops would be included in any eventual trade agreement but suggested that their exclusion would not prevent a deal from moving forward.
Moe as saying that Saskatchewan would be able to adapt to the current tariff structure on pulse exports to India even if those duties remained outside the scope of a future agreement. India imposed a 30 per cent duty on imported yellow peas and a 10 per cent tariff on lentils last year, measures that affected Canadian exports of both commodities.
The summit, organised by the Canada-India Business Council, brought together policymakers, diplomats, industry leaders, and business representatives from both countries to discuss opportunities for strengthening trade, investment, and economic cooperation in the years ahead.