Canada plans India ministerial visit and 300-delegate trade mission
Canadian ministers prepare to visit India as nearly 300 business delegates join an October 12–17 trade mission to Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Canadian ministers prepare India visit
Canada is preparing a ministerial visit and a major business mission to India, with nearly 300 delegates expected to take part in the trade programme from October 12 to 17. The Indian Express and The Economic Times reported the planned engagement as the two countries work towards a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.
Officials told The Indian Express that Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu would visit India in the coming week. According to its reporting, Anand is expected to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while Sidhu is due to hold talks with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
2 Canadian Ministers to visit India next week with 300-member mission; Carney may be Republic Day guest300-member Canadian trade delegation heads to India as countries look to firm up tiesBusiness mission heads to Mumbai and Bengaluru
The Economic Times reported that Sidhu will lead the delegation to Mumbai and Bengaluru. Citing a Canadian government statement, it described the programme as Canada's largest trade mission to India in more than 30 years.
The report identified aerospace, agri-food and clean technology as areas where Canadian businesses are seeking partnerships. It said the mission would connect delegates with Indian decision-makers, industry leaders and potential customers. These are the programme's stated commercial objectives, rather than agreements already signed or investment commitments already secured.
300-member Canadian trade delegation heads to India as countries look to firm up tiesNegotiations remain ongoing
The Economic Times said the fifth round of trade negotiations took place in Ottawa from October 5 to 9. Both reports described an effort to conclude a comprehensive economic partnership agreement by the end of the year.
The Indian Express also reported possible higher-level diplomatic engagements, based on its sources. The immediate confirmed programme in the reports is the forthcoming ministerial and business engagement; the trade agreement remains under negotiation.
2 Canadian Ministers to visit India next week with 300-member mission; Carney may be Republic Day guest300-member Canadian trade delegation heads to India as countries look to firm up ties