Canada is sending nearly 300 business delegates to India in its largest trade mission to the country in more than 30 years, as Ottawa and New Delhi seek to conclude a trade agreement by the end of 2026.
Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu will lead the Team Canada Trade Mission to Mumbai and Bengaluru from October 12 to 17, Global Affairs Canada said. The visit is aimed at expanding commercial ties, identifying investment opportunities and connecting Canadian companies with Indian businesses.
The delegates will “connect with Indian decision makers, key industry players and potential clients to expand commercial relations and build new partnerships that create good-paying jobs at home,” the department said.
“Nearly 300 Canadian business delegates are joining the Team Canada Trade Mission I am leading to India next week to secure new opportunities for our businesses and workers in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets,” Sidhu said.
“By matching Canadian expertise in sectors like aerospace, agri-food and clean technology with India’s growing demand, we will diversify our trade and attract new investment. This is how we will more than double our trade with India to $70 billion by 2030,” he added.
Trade Mission Targets Technology, Energy and Agriculture
The delegation includes companies from aerospace and space, clean technology and energy transition, information and communication technology, life sciences and agri-food. Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service has also identified forestry and wood products as a priority, with business-to-business meetings, site visits and briefings planned during the mission.
The visit follows the fifth round of negotiations on the Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), held in Ottawa from October 5 to 9. Neither government has announced an outcome from the latest round of talks.
Sidhu met India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Milwaukee on October 1. The two ministers reviewed progress in the negotiations.
The push to expand trade comes as India pursues economic agreements with multiple partners, including the United States, amid tariff tensions with Washington and disagreements over India’s purchases of Russian oil. Canada is also facing trade friction with the Trump administration and has said it wants to double exports to markets outside the United States over the next decade.
Trade Gap and Investment Ties Shape Bilateral Relations
Two-way trade in goods and services between Canada and India reached C$30.4 billion in 2025, according to the Canadian government. However, merchandise trade figures show a substantial gap between the two countries’ exports.
Canadian merchandise exports to India stood at C$3.9 billion, led by vegetables, mineral fuels and oils, and wood pulp. Imports from India reached C$9.7 billion, with precious stones and metals, machinery and pharmaceutical products among the leading categories.
Canadian direct investment in India totalled C$11.4 billion in 2025, while Indian direct investment in Canada reached C$9.7 billion, according to the government statement.
Canadian pension funds and asset managers reported approximately C$108 billion in total exposure to India in 2025, according to Export Development Canada, highlighting the broader financial links between the economies.
Team Canada trade missions are organised by Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service to help Canadian companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, explore overseas markets and establish commercial partnerships.
The latest initiative follows efforts by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to repair relations that deteriorated sharply in 2023. The trade negotiations and the October business mission form part of the broader effort to restore economic engagement.
Whether the talks can produce a comprehensive agreement by the end of the year remains to be seen. The scale of the delegation signals Ottawa’s commercial ambitions, but progress will depend on the negotiations and the ability of businesses in both countries to translate meetings into trade and investment.