Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade of Canada, on the sidelines of WTO MC14. The discussion focused on expediting the recently launched India-Canada CEPA negotiations.

Outside the FTA framework, both sides also agreed to develop a diversified sectoral engagement strategy and expand cooperation in shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and the education sector. Mr Sidhu extended a warm welcome to Shri Goyal for his upcoming visit to Canada in May 2026, leading a major Indian business delegation. India also supported Canada’s proposal to send a business delegation to India covering high-tech sectors such as aerospace, defence, and space. Underlining the importance of the clean energy transition, both Ministers agreed to explore cooperation in nuclear energy and other critical areas, including agriculture and critical minerals.

On the MC-14 agenda, the Ministers exchanged views on WTO reforms, moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmission as well as incorporation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement, dispute settlement, and the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA). India emphasised that the WTO must remain a consensus-based organization with its foundational principles preserved. Furthermore, India maintained that the WTO should prioritize unfinished past mandates—particularly in agriculture—before shifting focus to newer issues while older commitments remain unfulfilled. Canada acknowledged India’s concerns and suggested that both nations should continue constructive engagement under the aegis of WTO while respecting differing perspectives on specific trade issues.

India-Canada CEPA talks advance alongside wider sectoral cooperation and WTO reform discussions at MC14. India and Canada discussed expediting CEPA negotiations and broadening sectoral cooperation in shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, tourism, education, nuclear energy, agriculture and critical minerals. The Ministers also exchanged views on WTO reforms, the customs duties moratorium on electronic transmissions, the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement, dispute settlement and the MPIA, while India stressed consensus-based WTO decision-making and priority for unfinished agricultural mandates.