Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal holds bilateral meeting with Canada’s Minister of International Trade Mr Maninder Sidhu on sidelines of WTO MC-14 in Yaounde, Cameroon

**Executive Summary** The bilateral meeting between the trade ministers of India and Canada at the WTO MC-14 focused on expediting India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations and broadening sectoral cooperation. Key upcoming actions include a visit by the Indian Minister to Canada in May 2026 with a business delegation and a reciprocal Canadian high-tech mission to India. The ministers also addressed World Trade Organization (WTO) reforms, prioritizing consensus-based governance and agricultural mandates. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Trade Negotiations and Delegations** * Both nations committed to expediting the recently launched India-Canada CEPA negotiations. * A major Indian business delegation, led by Shri Piyush Goyal, will visit Canada in May 2026. * Canada proposed sending a business delegation to India focused on high-tech sectors, including aerospace, defence, and space. * **Sectoral Cooperation and Strategy** * A diversified sectoral engagement strategy will be developed to expand cooperation in shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and education. * The ministers agreed to explore cooperation in nuclear energy, agriculture, and critical minerals to support clean energy transitions. * **WTO Reform and Global Trade Agenda** * Discussions covered the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions and the incorporation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement. * India emphasized that the WTO must remain a consensus-based organization and prioritize unfinished mandates in agriculture. * Views were exchanged on dispute settlement mechanisms and the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA). **Impact Analysis** **Stakeholder: Government of India and Ministry of Commerce & Industry** **Impact** The government is positioning itself as a leader in consensus-based trade governance while pushing for progress on long-standing agricultural mandates at the WTO. **Action Required** Organize the logistics and participation for the May 2026 business delegation to Canada and continue technical negotiations for the CEPA. **Stakeholder: Government of Canada** **Impact** Canada is strengthening its bilateral trade relationship with India outside of the standard FTA framework through high-tech and energy cooperation. **Action Required** Coordinate the proposed business delegation to India and engage in constructive dialogue at the WTO regarding differing trade perspectives. **Stakeholder: Indian and Canadian Business Sectors (High-tech, Pharma, Energy, and Shipbuilding)** **Impact** These sectors stand to benefit from increased bilateral cooperation, reduced trade barriers under a future CEPA, and direct government-led networking opportunities. **Action Required** Relevant industry leaders should prepare for participation in upcoming trade delegations and align their growth strategies with the proposed diversified sectoral engagement areas.

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