India-Canada FTA Talks Back On Track After Modi-Carney Meet
India-Canada FTA Talks Back On Track After Modi-Carney Meet
India and Canada restart high-ambition FTA talks, aiming to double bilateral trade by 2030 with focus on minerals, clean energy, AI and future tech.
India and Canada have renewed momentum on a high-ambition Free Trade Agreement, with Union Minister Piyush Goyal confirming that talks will restart after a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney set a clear direction: to revive the FTA and aim to double bilateral trade by 2030.
Officials describe the move as a fresh phase in bilateral economic cooperation, designed to build investor confidence, resolve existing issues, and deepen trust between the two democracies. The talks will explore areas including critical minerals, clean energy, emerging technologies, and greater investment partnerships that could elevate the relationship to the next level.
Goyal highlighted India's energy and innovation roadmap, noting the country’s ambitious plan to reach 500 gigawatts of clean energy by 2030, and the promise of genuine 24-hour clean energy at under 9 cents per kilowatt-hour. He also pointed to a robust human resource pool, with 2.4 million STEM graduates produced annually.
Beyond the negotiation table, there is a push to convert dialogue into delivery: a five-point blueprint with actionable outcomes, the revival of the Canada-India CEO Forum by early 2026, and invitations for Canadian participation in India’s AI Summit in February. A dedicated government fund of $12 billion will support joint innovation, with critical minerals, clean energy, and aerospace highlighted under Make in India.
Canada and India also signaled interest in a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that could lift bilateral trade to about USD 50 billion by 2030, reflecting a shared ambition to deepen ties across minerals, energy, AI, and strategic technologies.
Analysts say the renewed focus comes at a time of shifting global supply chains and growing demand for democratic partners in technology and energy, potentially reshaping North-South collaborations and investment flows.
Cover image source: AI, Clean Energy & Critical Minerals: Piyush Goyal’s Big Pitch To Strengthen India–Canada Ties 🔗
