**India–Canada Joint Statement: Conclusion of the Second Round of CEPA Negotiations**
On May 8, 2026, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry announced the successful conclusion of the second round of negotiations for the proposed India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The meetings took place from May 4–8, 2026, at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, hosted by the Department of Commerce, Government of India.
**Key Discussion Framework and Objectives**
The negotiations were conducted in alignment with the Terms of Reference signed by the respective Trade Ministers on March 2, 2026. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a balanced and ambitious agreement designed to bolster bilateral economic ties and trade.
**Scope of Negotiations**
The discussions covered a comprehensive range of policy chapters, including:
* Trade in Goods
* Trade in Services
* Intellectual Property
* Rules of Origin
* Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
* Technical Barriers to Trade
**Future Engagements**
Both parties agreed to maintain a cooperative spirit, with the next formal round of negotiations scheduled for July 2026 in Ottawa, Canada. Intersessional engagements will continue in the interim to maintain momentum.
**Administrative Details**
* **Release ID:** 2259188
* **Visitor Counter:** 329
* **Authors/Points of Contact:** Abhishek Dayal / Anushka Pandey
* **Posted By:** PIB Delhi
Key Entities Referenced
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): A proposed bilateral trade agreement between India and Canada aimed at strengthening economic ties across sectors like goods, services, and intellectual property.
India and Canada: The two primary sovereign nations negotiating the trade pact to advance a mutually beneficial economic partnership.
Department of Commerce: The nodal agency under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry that hosted and led the second round of negotiations in New Delhi.
Terms of Reference: The guiding document signed by the Trade Ministers of both countries in March 2026, which defines the framework for the negotiations.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
India–Canada Joint Statement on the Conclusion
of the Second Round of Comprehensive
Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
Negotiations
Posted On: 08 MAY 2026 7:50PM by PIB Delhi
India and Canada successfully concluded the second round of negotiations for the proposed
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), held from 4–8 May 2026 at Vanijya Bhawan,
New Delhi, and hosted by the Department of Commerce, Government of India.
The discussions were held in accordance with the Terms of Reference signed by the Trade Ministers of
both countries on 2 March 2026. The negotiations witnessed constructive and productive engagement
between the two sides. India and Canada reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing a balanced,
ambitious, and mutually beneficial agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties.
Detailed discussions were held across a wide range of chapters, including Trade in Goods, Trade in
Services, Intellectual Property, Rules of Origin, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, and Technical
Barriers to Trade, among others.
Both sides agreed to continue negotiations in a constructive and cooperative spirit and looked forward to
the next round of discussions, scheduled to be held in July 2026 in Ottawa, Canada, with intersessional
engagements to continue in the interim.
***
Abhishek Dayal/Anushka Pandey(Release ID: 2259188) Visitor Counter : 329
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