PM Modi Likely to Visit Canada As Both Nations Aim to Finalise Trade Agreement

New Delhi: Before the end of this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit Canada to seal the free trade deal, which is currently under works, according to the top diplomat of the country.  

What is CEPA?

During Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to New Delhi in March during the latter’s first bilateral visit to India, PM Modi and Carnet announced the launch  of negotiations towards the comprehensive economic partnership agreement or CEPA. 

According to reports, two rounds of negotiations have been completed so far, and a third round is scheduled to begin soon in Ottawa. 

When will PM Modi visit Canada?

India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa Dinesh Patnaik said that dates for PM Modi's visit to Canada are under discussion 

He further said that, "We are expecting him by the end of the year or by the beginning of next year."

This will be Prime Minister Modi's first bilateral visit to Canada since April 2015, when Stephen Harper led Canada.

PM Modi did not visit Canada during Justin Trudeau's 10-year tenure as Canada’s Prime Minister. Last June, he visited Canada for the G7 summit, where he met Mark Carney and marked the beginning of a new phase in relations between the two countries.

What did Piyush Goyal say?

Speaking at a business event in Toronto, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that "We have had a serious political reset in our relationship. We are both vibrant democracies who believe in the rule of law. We have the confidence we will not be wrong, either in Canada or in India, justice shall remain, whatever be the circumstances."

During the visit, Goyal met Carney in Ottawa on Monday, where the latter sought an accelerated timeline for the conclusion of CEPA negotiations, wanting the talks to conclude by November-end.

"The Canada PM wants us to deliver before the G20 Leaders' Summit by November," Goyal said. "Given the sincerity I have seen in both negotiating teams, don't be surprised if they can deliver earlier than targeted."