India and Canada will begin the fifth round of talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on October 5. Both countries want to finish the deal by the end of 2026.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called the next 90 days a “defining period” for the relationship. The fourth round ended in Mumbai on September 18, when Goyal met Canada’s trade minister Maninder Sidhu. Both sides agreed to speed up the talks.

The pact aims to cut tariffs and open markets for goods and services. Two-way trade reached $30.4 billion in 2025. The target is $70 billion by 2030.

India’s main exports to Canada include pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, seafood, cotton garments, electronics and chemicals. Key imports from Canada include pulses, pearls and semi-precious stones, coal, fertilisers, paper and crude oil.

Services trade is led by telecom and computer services. Goyal also said the India-EU trade pact is expected to come into force in the coming months. Faster talks signal a reset after years of strain in the relationship.