Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will begin a three-day visit to Canada on Monday (25 May), accompanied by a business delegation.

The visit aims to accelerate negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two nations, with both sides targeting completion by December.

The ministerial visit marks the first high-level discussions between India and Canada since the two countries signed terms of reference for the free trade agreement in March.

Both nations concluded their second round of negotiations on 8 May, covering trade in goods and services, intellectual property, rules of origin, and sanitary measures.

During Goyal's visit, a further round of negotiations will be conducted in Ottawa from 25 to 29 May.

The Federation of Indian Export Organisations has welcomed Goyal's visit as a significant step towards strengthening bilateral economic relations, noting the ambitious target to enhance bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030.

In FY26, India's goods exports to Canada stood at $4.2 billion, while imports totalled $3.08 billion, creating a trade balance of $1.14 billion in India's favour.

The visit assumes particular significance as it represents a renewed commitment to economic engagement following a diplomatic freeze that began in September 2023.

Trade talks had paused after then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations regarding the Indian government's involvement in the death of a Canada-based Khalistan separatist, charges New Delhi strongly denied.