Canada has sent its largest trade delegation to India in more than 30 years. The mission runs from October 12 to 17 with stops in Mumbai and Bengaluru, as the two countries push to conclude a broad trade agreement by the end of the year. Agriculture, especially pulses, is expected to be the hardest issue.
The Team Canada Trade Mission to India runs from October 12 to 17, with stops in Mumbai and Bengaluru, according to a Canadian government statement reported by BusinessLine. It is the largest trade delegation Canada has sent to India in over 30 years.
Who Is Going
The delegation includes businesses from aerospace and space, clean technology and energy transition, information and communication technologies, life sciences and agri-food. The visit aims to link Canadian firms with Indian decision-makers, industry players and potential clients.
Canada’s trade minister, Sidhu, said: “By matching Canadian expertise in sectors like aerospace, agri-food and clean technology with India’s growing demand, we will diversify our trade and attract new investment. This is how we will more than double our trade with India to $70 billion by 2030.” BusinessLine puts the target at C$70 billion in annual two-way trade.
The Bigger Goal: a Trade Agreement
- The two countries want to conclude a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of this year
- They are working to finalise it before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected visit to Canada in December
- The fifth round of CEPA talks began in Ottawa on October 5
The Sticking Points
Issues include predictable market access for agricultural products and farm inputs, including pulses and fertilisers, technical standards and adequate visas for workers.
Agriculture is expected to be among the hardest areas, because Canada wants stable, long-term access to India’s pulses market. India has changed import duties on pulses several times in recent years. A source tracking the talks told BusinessLine: “Canadian farm groups have asked for enforceable commitments rather than tariff cuts that could be reversed at short notice.”
Why Canada Is Doing This
Canada is trying to diversify its trade beyond the United States, with a target of doubling exports to markets outside the US over the next decade. Doubling two-way trade with India is a key part of that plan.
The proposed agreement would also cover cooperation in energy, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and critical minerals.
Image: Mumbai’s skyline seen from the water, November 2023 (file photo). Photo: iMahesh / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
