Overview
- Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal led a roughly 150‑member Indian business delegation to Ottawa and Toronto on Monday, May 25, for meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu.
- A key on‑site negotiation round is scheduled to run through May 29 as both sides press to conclude a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement by the end of 2026.
- New Delhi is using the mission to court Canada’s top institutional investors, including the 'Maple 8' pension funds, as part of a push to raise long‑term capital for Indian infrastructure and industry.
- Energy and critical minerals, including uranium supplies for India’s civil nuclear and clean‑energy plans, are a central commercial focus alongside AI, pharmaceuticals, aerospace and food‑processing ties.
- The trip builds on a diplomatic reset after a multi‑year chill and March talks between leaders, and it could widen commercial links, boost jobs in tradeable sectors, and drive large‑scale investment flows if negotiations stay on track.