Canada’s Trade Minister visits India
New Delhi, Nov 14: Canadian Minister for Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Maninder Sidhu concluded a four-day official visit to India on Thursday at the invitation of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
The visit followed directions set by the two Prime Ministers during their meeting at the G7 summit in Kananaskis and the Foreign Ministers’ joint statement of 13 October, which identified trade as central to the India–Canada relationship.
During the visit, the two ministers held the 7th Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment (MDTI), reaffirming the strength of the bilateral economic partnership and their commitment to deepen cooperation through sustained dialogue and “forward-looking initiatives.”
Both sides noted that bilateral trade in goods and services reached USD 23.66 billion in 2024, with merchandise trade rising nearly 10% to USD 8.98 billion. They welcomed growing two-way investments, including significant Canadian institutional investment in India and the rising presence of Indian companies in Canada, which together support tens of thousands of jobs. The ministers agreed to maintain an open and predictable investment environment and explore deeper collaboration in priority sectors. They highlighted complementarities between the two countries in areas driving sustainable growth, and outlined sector-specific cooperation, including long-term partnerships in critical minerals and clean energy, vital for energy transition and new-age industrial development and enhanced opportunities in aerospace and dual-use capabilities, building on Canada’s existing footprint in India and the rapid expansion of India’s aviation sector.
The ministers also discussed global supply chain disruptions and stressed the need for diversified, reliable supply chains in critical sectors such as agriculture to ensure long-term economic stability. Expressing satisfaction with the progress made, both sides committed to keep up momentum in the dialogue and strengthen people-to-people linkages. They agreed to hold further ministerial engagements with the trade and investment community in early 2026 and to remain in close contact as they consider next steps.
