India and Canada will begin the fifth round of CEPA negotiations in Ottawa from October 5-9, aiming to conclude a trade deal by year-end. The talks seek to expand bilateral trade, strengthen cooperation in energy, critical minerals, aerospace and AI, and support Canada’s trade diversification
Former envoy Sanjay Kumar Verma said revived India–Canada trade talks under an Early Progress Trade Agreement could evolve into a CEPA, stressing staged negotiations, stronger investment ties, and institutional safeguards to protect economic cooperation from political disruptions
