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

Audit finds major barriers on planes, trains

Auditor general Karen Hogan says in the report that Via Rail and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority have made accessibility improvements over the last several years, but serious gaps still remain.

Audit finds major barriers on planes, trains

Budget to include rebate to help with groceries

The NDP had called on the federal government to extend the measure. In the lead up to the budget, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has promised targeted inflation relief for low-income Canadians.

Budget to include rebate to help with groceries

PM stayed in $6k London suite for royal funeral

The stay at the Corinthia London hotel became the subject of public debate last fall when media honed in on the details of the $400,000 trip, after obtaining documents through access-to-information requests.

PM stayed in $6k London suite for royal funeral

Kamloops nation gets $12.5M for healing centre

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu told a crowd in Kamloops, B.C., that the nation has led the way in opening the eyes of the country to the truths that were always known to Indigenous Peoples.

Kamloops nation gets $12.5M for healing centre

B.C. boosts funding to train more veterinarians

The college has been training B.C.'s veterinarians for five decades, and she said the multi-year funding boost will give students "certainty," while addressing the need to train and retain vets in communities essential to B.C.'s food security.

B.C. boosts funding to train more veterinarians

Minister stands by B.C. salmon farm closures

A statement from the office of Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray says her decision last month against renewing the licences for the farms off Vancouver Island near Campbell River was difficult but necessary.