India offers to start investment treaty talks with Canada, eyes $70 bn trade by 2030

At the first Canada-India Finance Ministers' Economic and Financial Dialogue, India announced it is prepared to commence negotiations on a Bilateral Investment Treaty with Canada without delay. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne reiterated a shared ambition to raise bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion (INR 4.65 lakh crore) by 2030, citing growing investment links such as Canadian pension funds in India.

The dialogue also covered measures to simplify cross-border financial operations, promote the use of India's Unified Payments Interface, and explore joint projects in critical minerals and clean-energy technologies. Both parties confirmed they will push to finalize a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement by the close of 2026. Sitharaman, on a visit to Canada, will meet business leaders in sectors ranging from AI to infrastructure, while the next ministerial dialogue is planned for 2027.