India-Canada CEPA talks: Modi and Carney reaffirm end-2026 timeline at G7 meeting

India and Canada agreed on Tuesday to finish talks on a free trade deal by the end of 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed this during wide talks. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, eastern France.

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During the talks, both sides backed closing negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2026. The Ministry of External Affairs said both countries were pleased with progress so far. The leaders also discussed steps to expand cooperation in defence, trade, and energy.

India-Canada CEPA talks and trade timeline

Modi referred to frequent contact between the two leaders in a post on X. "It was a delight to meet Prime Minister Carney on the sidelines of the Evian G7 Summit,\" Modi wrote. \"In less than a year, it is our fourth meeting, indicating our commitment to strong India-Canada ties. We reviewed the full range of relations between our nations, notably the ground covered since we last met,\" Modi added.

The MEA said the leaders welcomed improved momentum in the relationship. The statement also noted progress since Carney’s visit to India in March this year. The visit was held from February 27 to March 2. During that trip, both countries signed pacts on uranium supplies and critical minerals.

India-Canada defence cooperation and security agreement talks

India and Canada also decided to start talks on a General Security of Information Agreement. The aim is to deepen defence and security coordination. The leaders looked ahead to more dialogues on defence, finance, and migration. They also discussed stronger cooperation across innovation, education, and people-to-people links.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared an update on X after the meeting. \"Both leaders reviewed the excellent progress made in bilateral engagement and discussed ways to build a stronger partnership driven by trade, energy, innovation, education and people-to-people exchanges,\" Randhir Jaiswal said. The MEA also cited resilient supply chains for energy and food security.

India-Canada energy cooperation including LNG, LPG and coal

The leaders reviewed economic cooperation, including commercial arrangements tied to LNG, LPG and metallurgical coal. They also highlighted how the two economies can complement each other. The MEA said both sides stressed the need for reliable supply chains. The talks also covered broader trade and investment links.

Both prime ministers welcomed deeper institutional engagement between the two governments. The MEA pointed to recent meetings of the Joint Science and Technology Committee. It also mentioned the Consular Dialogue. The leaders noted ongoing work under the Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy.

India-Canada diplomatic engagement and Raisina Americas platform

The two sides announced the establishment of Raisina Americas as a new platform for dialogue and exchanges. Modi also supported Canada becoming a Dialogue Partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. The MEA said these steps aim to widen cooperation. The leaders also referred to progress achieved in recent months.

India-Canada ties had weakened after 2023 allegations by then-prime minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau had claimed a possible Indian link to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The relationship then fell sharply. The two sides began steps to rebuild ties after Carney became prime minister in March last year.

With inputs from PTI