National

Ng announces India trade mission, pledges a limited deal within months

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 May, 2023 10:42 AM

OTTAWA — Trade Minister Mary Ng says it is "not going to be years" before Canada and India sign some form of trade agreement, more than a decade after negotiations began.

Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visited Ottawa and Toronto this week, where he told media that New Delhi wants to vastly increase its trade with Canada.

From co-chairing our Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment (MDTI) to meeting with Canadian and Indian Business leaders, Piyush Goyal and I had a productive week! 🇨🇦🇮🇳

🔗 https://t.co/JhMYhf8OUz pic.twitter.com/3Xd4R1orKu
— Mary Ng (@mary_ng) May 11, 2023

The two countries are negotiating a possible agreement that is limited to certain sectors, instead of a comprehensive deal that covers most of the economy.

This visit has added further momentum to our efforts in enhancing bilateral trade & investment ties.

We will work together to translate this enthusiasm and optimism into closer cooperation across multiple sectors. 🇮🇳🇨🇦 https://t.co/j20khanKAi
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) May 12, 2023

Industry groups have been urging Canada to push for a deal to be signed this year, but a former Canadian envoy to India, Nadir Patel, says a deadline would likely make it harder for both sides to feel like they reached a fair agreement.

Ng has also announced that she will be leading a trade mission to India this October, possibly with provincial representatives.

The Asia-Pacific Foundation says Canada could benefit from India's booming population by selling more produce, chemicals, wood products and minerals.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Surrey RCMP need your help in locating missing man Bikramjeet Singh

He was last seen on April 15, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the 7000-block of 131 Street in Surrey. Police and family are concerned for Bikramjeet’s health and well-being as it is out of character for him to be out of contact.

Surrey RCMP need your help in locating missing man Bikramjeet Singh

Surrey recognized as ‘Tree City of the World’ for fourth time

The Tree Cities of the World Program is an international initiative intended to recognize cities and towns that are committed to ensuring their urban forests are celebrated, properly maintained, and sustainably managed.

Surrey recognized as ‘Tree City of the World’ for fourth time

Housing, dental benefits had low take-up: report

The federal dental benefit was rolled out in the fall to provide families with up to $650 per child under 12 for dental care. It was the first step toward creating a national dental care program, a key promise in the Liberals' confidence-and-supply agreement with the NDP.

Housing, dental benefits had low take-up: report

War on drugs redux: U.S. cracks down on fentanyl

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says a continental strategy for dealing with fentanyl will be a key priority during the meetings. The U.S. has already embarked on an aggressive law-enforcement approach, seizing more than 2,200 kilograms of fentanyl in the last month — virtually all of it coming across the southern border.

War on drugs redux: U.S. cracks down on fentanyl

Federal workers to strike if no deal by tonight

Mediated contract negotiations between the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the government began in early April and continued through the weekend in what the union describes as the government's last chance to reach a deal.

Federal workers to strike if no deal by tonight

Officers to testify at inquest of B.C. man's death

Myles Gray, who was 33, died in August 2015, shortly after a beating by seven officers, leaving him with a broken eye socket, a crushed voice box, a ruptured testicle and other injuries. The inquest began Monday in Burnaby, B.C., with testimony from six of the more than 40 witnesses expected to appear over 10 days.