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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.

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