India, Canada push to conclude CEPA in 2026; PM Modi and Mark Carney launch defence pact talks at G7 Summit
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India and Canada have stepped up efforts to rebuild and deepen economic ties, agreeing to accelerate negotiations for a long-pending Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and launch talks on a key defence information-sharing pact, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France.
The meeting comes at a time when both countries are seeking to strengthen trade, investment and strategic cooperation amid growing global concerns around supply-chain resilience, energy security and geopolitical uncertainty. The leaders welcomed the renewed momentum in bilateral relations following Carney’s visit to India earlier this year and reaffirmed their commitment to building a forward-looking strategic partnership.
CEPA negotiations gather pace
A key outcome of the meeting was the renewed push to conclude negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in 2026. The proposed pact is expected to provide greater market access, boost bilateral trade and create new opportunities for businesses and investors in both countries.
“Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress in negotiations towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and reaffirmed their shared objective of concluding the negotiations in 2026,” the two governments said in a joint statement.
The leaders also reviewed developments in bilateral economic cooperation, including commercial arrangements relating to liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and metallurgical coal. They highlighted the complementarities between the Indian and Canadian economies and stressed the importance of resilient and reliable supply chains in supporting global energy and food security.
The meeting also took note of increasing high-level economic engagement between the two countries, including Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent visit to Canada and a planned Canadian trade mission to India later this year.
Defence, technology and talent partnerships
Beyond trade, the two countries agreed to launch negotiations on a General Security of Information Agreement (GSOIA), a framework that would facilitate the secure exchange and protection of classified information and enable closer defence cooperation.
“To further deepen defence and security cooperation, the Prime Ministers agreed to launch negotiations on a General Security of Information Agreement (GSOIA),” the joint statement said.
The leaders also welcomed expanding collaboration under the Canada–India Talent and Innovation Strategy, which focuses on skill development, innovation partnerships and educational cooperation. Progress in institutional engagement, including science and technology cooperation, consular dialogue, and upcoming discussions on defence, finance and migration, was also reviewed.
As part of efforts to broaden strategic engagement, Modi expressed support for Canada’s bid to become a Dialogue Partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). The two leaders also announced the establishment of Raisina Americas, a new platform aimed at strengthening policy dialogue, exchanges and cooperation between India and the Americas.
Modi thanked Carney for inviting him to visit Canada later this year, with both sides agreeing to remain engaged through diplomatic channels to finalise mutually convenient dates.