India And Canada Advance Trade Deal Talks, Plan New Security Agreement

India and Canada have decided to fast-track negotiations for a long-pending trade agreement and start discussions on a new security framework, signalling further improvement in relations that had faced a major setback just a few years ago.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney held talks on Tuesday on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France. The two leaders agreed to work towards concluding negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of 2026 while expanding cooperation in sectors ranging from energy and defence to technology and education.

The meeting was the fourth between Modi and Carney in less than a year. Both sides said ties have gained momentum since Carney visited India earlier this year, with several government-to-government engagements taking place in recent months.

Trade Talks Back In Focus

Negotiations for the proposed CEPA have emerged as a key pillar of the renewed relationship. According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, both countries are satisfied with the progress made so far and remain committed to concluding negotiations by the end of 2026.

Officials feel the agreement could open fresh opportunities for businesses on both sides and deepen economic ties between the two complementary economies. The leaders also discussed commercial cooperation in areas such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and metallurgical coal, with supply chain resilience and energy security among the themes covered during the meeting.

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What Is The New Security Agreement?

Alongside trade discussions, India and Canada agreed to launch negotiations on a General Security of Information Agreement. The proposed arrangement is expected to make it easier for the two countries to exchange sensitive information and deepen defence cooperation. Recent interactions between defence institutions were also welcomed by both governments.

The meeting also touched on science, technology, migration and innovation partnerships. The two sides announced the creation of Raisina Americas, a platform aimed at boosting dialogue and cooperation across a range of sectors. India additionally backed Canada's bid to become a Dialogue Partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

The latest announcements reflect a steady thaw in bilateral ties, with New Delhi and Ottawa now looking to rebuild cooperation through trade, security and people-to-people engagement.

Sources:

Hindustan Times

The Economic Times

The Print