October 16, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada 

This week, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, led nearly 300 delegates from across Canada to Mumbai and Bengaluru, India, as part of the largest trade delegation sent to India in 30 years, advancing our trade diversification agenda. The mission delivered impressive results, including 34 commercial agreements worth close to $300 million, demonstrating how the ambitious Canada-India partnership is translating into new opportunities for Canadian and Indian businesses, workers and communities. Building on this momentum, Minister Sidhu met with Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, in New Delhi and Mumbai to advance negotiations toward a Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which would give Canadian businesses greater access to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. The two ministers have now met 10 times since May 2025.

Throughout the trade mission, Minister Sidhu hosted events that brought together hundreds of Canadian and Indian government and business leaders. He also met with senior officials, industry leaders, and investors to advance partnerships in key sectors, including aerospace and space, clean technology and energy transition, information and communication technology, life sciences, and agri-food.

In Mumbai, Minister Sidhu participated in a fireside chat at the Canada-India Business Council’s annual forum, attended by members of the Canada-India business community. He highlighted Canada’s commitment to facilitating and supporting business connections and economic collaboration between Canadian and Indian businesses through initiatives such as the Team Canada Trade Mission. He also met with Yotta Data Services to discuss opportunities for the company to invest and establish an AI innovation hub in Canada that would support Canadian businesses and create good-paying jobs.

In Bengaluru, Minister Sidhu participated in an aerospace roundtable with Canadian and Indian industry leaders to explore new opportunities for collaboration and showcase Canadian capabilities in the sector.

Through site visits and meetings with representatives of leading Indian companies, including Air India and Dynamatic Technologies, Minister Sidhu showcased Canadian strengths in priority sectors for India. These engagements presented Canadian expertise as solutions to India’s evolving needs, creating new business opportunities and reinforcing Canada’s reputation as a reliable trade and investment partner.

Minister Sidhu also discussed shared trade priorities with Indian officials, including Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, to advance CEPA negotiations.

Ahead of the trade mission, Minister Sidhu joined the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Delhi. As a panellist on economic and supply chain security, he highlighted Canada’s demonstrated reputation as a trusted and reliable supplier of key resources, including energy, critical minerals and agri-food and as a committed partner in strengthening supply chain resilience.