India and Canada open fourth CEPA round, with retail trade in focus
India and Canada have begun a fourth round of proposed CEPA negotiations covering goods, services, rules of origin and technical barriers. A 2026 pact could reshape trade flows in garments, seafood, electronics, pulses, pearls and paper as both nations target US$50 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
What happened
Government of India · India and Canada began a fourth round of CEPA talks covering goods, services, origin rules and technical barriers. The pact could affect
Key facts
- Fourth negotiation round
- September 14-18
- USD 50 billion bilateral-trade target by 2030
- 2025-26 two-way trade: USD 7.95 billion, down 8.22%
- 2024-25 two-way trade: USD 8.66 billion
What changed
India and Canada began a fourth round of CEPA talks covering goods, services, origin rules and technical barriers. The pact could affect Indian retail-linked imports and exports, including garments, seafood, electronics, pulses, pearls and paper.
Why this matters
Retail operators should monitor CEPA rules of origin and tariff provisions, as a 2026 India-Canada pact could lower sourcing costs and expand assortment options across apparel, seafood, electronics, pulses, pearls and paper.
What to watch
- Publication of negotiating texts or a joint statement defining tariff-elimination coverage and timelines.
- Agreement on rules-of-origin thresholds for apparel, electronics and processed food.
- Mutual recognition or streamlined certification for technical barriers, food safety and labeling.
- Indian and Canadian election, diplomatic or agricultural-sector developments that alter negotiating urgency.
- Announced sourcing commitments by major Canadian grocers, apparel chains, marketplaces or Indian export groups.