OTTAWA — International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has reported significant advancements in trade negotiations between Canada and India during a recent trade mission to New Delhi and Mumbai. This mission, which took place last week, involved representatives from nearly 300 Canadian businesses and exporters.

According to a statement from Sidhu's office, the mission successfully resulted in 34 commercial agreements, amounting to nearly $300 million. These agreements highlight the growing economic ties between the two nations and reflect a mutual commitment to strengthening trade relations.

During his visit, Sidhu held crucial meetings with Indian Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in both New Delhi and Mumbai. The primary focus of these discussions was to expedite the trade negotiations aimed at establishing a new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Both Canada and India are keen on concluding these negotiations by the end of the year, which indicates a strategic move towards enhancing bilateral trade.

The negotiations for the CEPA were originally launched nearly a year ago by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 summit held in South Africa. This foundational meeting marked the beginning of a new chapter in Canada-India trade relations, with substantial expectations from both sides for progress.

In a related development, Prime Minister Carney announced on Thursday that Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Toronto and Ottawa on December 11 and 12, just prior to this year's G20 summit in Miami. This visit is anticipated to further solidify the trade relationship and may serve as a platform for discussing future trade opportunities between Canada and India.

The Canadian government, under the Liberals' current administration, has set an ambitious goal to double its non-U.S. exports over the next decade. Additionally, there is a strategic aim to increase two-way trade with India to $70 billion annually by the year 2030. Achieving these goals will likely require sustained collaboration and partnership between the two nations.

In conclusion, the recent trade mission to India has demonstrated the Canadian government’s commitment to enhancing its economic relations with India. The forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Modi is expected to further catalyze these efforts, signaling a promising outlook for future trade developments.