Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says she is looking forward to meeting Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during United Nations High-Level Week as Canada and India intensify efforts to conclude their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement by the end of 2026. Anand is in New York as part of Canada’s delegation to the 81st UN General Assembly High-Level Week.
“The Canada-India bilateral relationship is growing and the conclusion of the CEPA before the end of the year is key to our overall strategy,” Anand said in a social media post, adding that she looked forward to speaking with Jaishankar during the UN meetings.
The expected meeting follows a phone conversation between the two foreign ministers last week, during which Jaishankar said they discussed bilateral cooperation as well as the situation in Ukraine. The engagement comes as Ottawa and New Delhi continue rebuilding diplomatic and economic ties while expanding cooperation in areas including energy, critical minerals, technology, education and security.
Trade negotiations have also accelerated. Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu travelled to Mumbai for talks with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal as the fourth round of CEPA negotiations took place. Canada and India have reaffirmed their goal of completing negotiations before the end of the year.
The two governments have set a target of more than doubling bilateral trade to $70 billion annually by 2030. Ottawa has identified agriculture and agri-food, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and technology among the sectors where a trade agreement could create additional commercial opportunities.
Sidhu has said negotiations require sustained face-to-face engagement and that Canada wants to maintain momentum toward an agreement. Goyal has similarly said both governments are committed to accelerating the negotiations and expanding opportunities in goods, services and investment.
The renewed push comes after several years of strained Canada-India relations. The two governments have increasingly restored formal engagement in 2026, with trade negotiations forming a central part of their broader effort to rebuild bilateral cooperation.
The next round of CEPA negotiations is expected to begin October 5, with both governments working toward an agreement before the end of December. Canadian officials have also highlighted potential cooperation with India on liquefied natural gas, nuclear energy and critical minerals as Ottawa seeks to diversify trade beyond the United States.
