With PM Modi set to visit Ottawa, India & Canada back CEPA
Quick Look
India and Canada held the fifth round of CEPA talks, welcoming progress toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and a substantive defence relationship, with leaders targeting CAD 70 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 and planning to sign the deal during PM Modi's tentative visit to Canada from Dec 11-13, ahead of the G20 summit in Florida.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
India and Canada are currently holding the fifth round of talks for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aiming to boost bilateral trade and defence cooperation.
File photo: PM Modi with Canadian PM Mark Carney
The latest round of India-Canada security dialogue saw both sides welcoming efforts to advance talks for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), while underlining the growing potential for advancing a "substantive bilateral defence relationship in keeping with the vision of the leadership". The two sides are expected to sign the CEPA during PM Modi's visit to Canada which, according to official sources, is tentatively scheduled for Dec 11-13. It will come days before the G20 summit for which Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney will join other world leaders in Florida. India and Canada are currently holding the 5th round of talks for CEPA. Both leaders have called for an ambitious and a mutually beneficial CEPA that can serve as a durable anchor for the economic partnership, while allowing India and Canada to boost bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion ($49 billion) by 2030.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
India and Canada will sign the CEPA during PM Modi's visit to Canada
Likely · Within weeks
Bilateral trade between India and Canada will reach CAD 70 billion by 2030
Possible · Within years
Open Questions
- What specific terms are being negotiated in the CEPA?
- Will the defence relationship include joint military exercises or technology sharing?
- How will the CEPA address non-tariff barriers between the two countries?
