India-Canada CEPA: Modi-Carney call, FM Anita Anand meets PM Modi
Why in the news
India and Canada stepped up high-level contact this week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by phone with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on 13 October 2026, and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand called on PM Modi in New Delhi on 14 October.
Key facts
- CEPA: The two leaders renewed their commitment to finish negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement at the earliest opportunity.
- Trade target: The deal is meant to support the goal of doubling bilateral trade by 2030.
- Areas of the call: trade, defence and security, artificial intelligence, energy, agriculture and people-to-people links; they also discussed instability in the Indo-Pacific.
- Anita Anand’s visit: She arrived on 13 October; the MEA said it was her third visit to India since June 2025. Talks with PM Modi covered trade, technology, defence, security, energy and education.
- Team Canada Trade Mission: Led by Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu; Canada called it its largest corporate delegation to India in three decades, with about 300 delegates.
- Next step: PM Modi is scheduled to visit Canada in December 2026.
| Engagement | Date | Indian side | Canadian side |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone call | 13 Oct 2026 | PM Narendra Modi | PM Mark Carney |
| Meeting in New Delhi | 14 Oct 2026 | PM Narendra Modi | FM Anita Anand |
| CEPA discussion | Oct 2026 | Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal | Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu |
About the Team Canada Trade Mission
The mission focuses on sectors such as aerospace, clean energy, technology, life sciences, agri-food and forestry, with delegates exploring joint ventures in India. A National Security Advisor-level security dialogue between the two countries was also held in India the previous week.
Exam angle
- CEPA expands to Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
- India and Canada target doubling two-way trade by 2030.
- Know the names: Mark Carney (Canadian PM), Anita Anand (Foreign Minister), Maninder Sidhu (International Trade Minister).