India's largest business delegation arrives in Canada to push FTA

India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal arrived in Ottawa on Monday to lead what officials described as the country’s largest ever business delegation to Canada, as both nations push to finalize a free trade agreement by the end of 2026. Goyal began his visit with a meeting with Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, marking the latest step in a rapid diplomatic and economic reset between the two countries.

Goyal said Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to India in March paved the way for a complete overhaul of the bilateral relationship. “It has set in motion the pathway to a complete overhaul of this relationship, setting new agendas, new goals,” Goyal said before the meeting. He added that the relationship between Canada and India will be very important in the coming years and that both countries are keen to reach a free trade agreement in 2026.

The Indian delegation includes more than 100 senior business representatives from industries including mining, energy, automotive, and aerospace. The visit is scheduled to include stops in Ottawa and Toronto, where the delegation will engage with major Canadian investors, including the country’s eight largest...