India and Canada Begin Fourth Round of CEPA Negotiations in New Delhi to Boost Bilateral Trade

India and Canada initiated the fourth round of formal negotiations for a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in New Delhi on September 14, 2026. The five-day talks, scheduled from September 14 to 18, focus on crucial trade pillars including goods, services, rules of origin, and technical barriers to trade. This session follows the third round of talks held in Ottawa in July. Both nations are seeking to finalize the free trade agreement before the end of 2026, establishing a strategic roadmap to expand total bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. In FY 2025–26, two-way merchandise trade between the nations recorded $7.95 billion, reflecting an 8.22% decline from $8.66 billion in FY 2024–25. Indian exports, which include pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, seafood, cotton garments, electronics, and chemicals, rose to $4.67 billion. Meanwhile, imports from Canada, dominated by pulses, coal, fertilizers, crude petroleum, and precious stones, stood at $3.28 billion. In addition, services trade between the two nations remains driven by telecommunications, IT services, and professional business services. The completion of CEPA is expected to lower tariff barriers, streamline customs procedures, and enhance market access for Indian manufacturers and exporters in North America, while opening investment avenues for Canadian institutions in India's expanding industrial landscape.