India and Canada Target December Conclusion for Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

Negotiations between India and Canada regarding a trade pact are currently advancing through their sixth round, according to Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu. Speaking on Thursday at the CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam, Sidhu expressed hope that discussions for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will wrap up by the time Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Canada next month. He held discussions on the agreement alongside Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, emphasizing that the two economies complement rather than compete with one another.

Energy and Nuclear Cooperation

Addressing India's projected rapid growth and rising energy demands—which are expected to increase by 75% by 2035—Sidhu highlighted upcoming liquefied natural gas projects that could position Canada as a major global exporter. He also noted that Canada can support the objectives of India's SHANTI Act, which received presidential assent on December 21, 2025, to allow private sector participation in nuclear facilities under government licensing. This follows a roughly $2.5 billion uranium deal signed around March 1st to supply India's nuclear sector.

Critical Minerals and Agriculture

Sidhu pointed to supply chain resilience as a key area of cooperation, noting Canada's reserves of critical minerals and its position as the sole country in the Western Hemisphere containing every element required for electric vehicle batteries. In agriculture, he highlighted Canadian potash supplies aimed at boosting farming efficiency and crop yield in India, contributing to regional food security.

Investment and Technology Partnerships

Highlighting existing economic ties, Sidhu noted that Canadian institutional investors and pension funds, such as Fairfax, have collectively invested over $100 billion, making Canada a leading investor in India. He added that Canadian investors are looking to expand further into data centers, artificial intelligence, and technology sectors.