India and Canada will begin the fifth round of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Ottawa on October 5, according to trade department officials.
The talks, involving senior officials from both countries, are expected to continue for five days and conclude on October 9. The fourth round ended in New Delhi on September 18.
Officials said both sides have set a target to complete the negotiations by the end of this year, prompting an accelerated pace in the current phase.
If concluded, the agreement could reduce or remove customs duties on a range of goods traded between the two countries. It is also expected to include measures to ease rules for skilled professionals working across borders and to encourage investment.
India and Canada first began discussions on the pact in 2015. After a pause, the two sides decided in November 2025 to resume formal negotiations. Separately, Canada’s Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is expected to visit New Delhi later this month with a 300-member business delegation.
