Canada Launches Largest Trade Mission to India in Three Decades to Secure Free-Trade Agreement
International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is in India with nearly 300 delegates representing businesses and exporters from across Canada, as the two countries look to reach a free-trade agreement by the end of the year. The delegation marks the largest Canadian trade mission to the South Asian nation in more than 30 years.
The federal government set a target to double two-way trade with India to $70 billion annually by 2030, following $30.4 billion in total goods and services trade recorded in 2025. Sidhu is scheduled to hold trade negotiations in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru alongside India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
Trade Negotiations Resume Following Historic Rapprochement
Ottawa and New Delhi initiated free-trade talks in 2010, but negotiations collapsed in 2023 after the federal government alleged New Delhi was linked to the assassination of a Canadian Sikh activist in Surrey, British Columbia, as reported by CTV News. Relations began to thaw after Prime Minister Mark Carney prioritized resetting diplomatic ties following his election in 2025.
Carney traveled to Mumbai and New Delhi in March 2026, marking the first official visit by a Canadian prime minister in eight years. That diplomatic trip yielded a $2.6-billion agreement to supply India with roughly 22 million pounds of uranium for energy generation, alongside 10 commercial deals valued at more than $5.5 billion. In May 2026, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated that Carney’s visit established the framework for a complete overhaul of bilateral relations.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Canada later this year to continue diplomatic and economic discussions.
Sectors Driving Delegation Focus and Economic Goals
Global Affairs Canada organized the current mission around multiple key industries, including aerospace, clean technologies, energy transition, information and communication technology, life sciences, and agri-food. Sidhu stated that Canadian firms are positioned to capitalize on India’s rapid development, noting that India will require more than 2,000 new aircraft in the coming years.
Energy cooperation remains a central pillar of the discussions. Sidhu noted that India’s electricity demand is projected to grow by 70 percent by 2035, pointing to Canadian energy projects such as LNG Canada Phase 2 and Pacific Link as solutions to meet that rising consumption. Concurrently, Indian enterprises maintain a corporate footprint in Canada that has generated approximately 36,000 domestic jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Canada-India Trade Mission
What specific cities is Minister Maninder Sidhu visiting during the trip?
Minister Sidhu is stopping in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru during his itinerary across India, according to reporting by CTV News.
How many delegates are accompanying the trade minister?
Nearly 300 delegates representing businesses and exporters from across Canada are participating in the delegation, making it the largest mission of its kind in over three decades.
What was the total value of trade between Canada and India in 2025?
Two-way goods and services trade between the two nations amounted to $30.4 billion in 2025, according to Global Affairs Canada data.
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