Toronto, May 31: Officials from Canada and India are feeling hopeful about the discussions on a free trade agreement during a recent business summit in Regina. After some delays in 2023, the two countries are re-engaging on this important trade initiative.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Canada’s High Commissioner to India, Chris Cooter, and India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, took part in the Western Canada-India Leaders Summit held in Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan. They focused on strengthening bilateral ties and moving forward with the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
According to a report by CBC News, High Commissioner Cooter shared his positive outlook, saying that negotiations are underway and he believes a deal could be reached by the end of this year. “The free trade agreement will happen. I have no doubt,” he stated.
High Commissioner Patnaik also confirmed that discussions about the agreement are ongoing. Premier Moe voiced the importance of the relationship between Saskatchewan and India and noted the ongoing trade dialogues as a reason for optimism.
These comments came shortly after India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal indicated a desire to finish the free trade agreement negotiations by year’s end. He mentioned that both countries aim to increase their bilateral trade from approximately $17 billion to $50 billion by 2030.
Trade discussions between India and Canada hit a snag in 2023 following serious allegations from Canada linking Indian agents to the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. India dismissed these claims as “absurd” and “motivated.”
However, recent months have seen a revival of trade talks. Goyal highlighted that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trip to India had significantly improved the relationship and set the stage for a fresh start.
Premier Moe credited Carney for reigniting engagement with India, noting their joint visit to Mumbai and New Delhi earlier this year.
The summit also included discussions on trading agricultural products. Moe expressed hope that pulse crops would be part of any future trade agreement, but reassured that not including them wouldn’t be a deal-breaker. He mentioned that Saskatchewan could navigate around existing Indian import duties on pulse crops, even if those tariffs remain.
Last year, India introduced a 30% tax on imported yellow peas and a 10% duty on lentils, which impacted Canadian exports of these goods.
The summit was organized by the Canada-India Business Council and brought together various political figures, diplomats, and business representatives from both countries.
