New Delhi, May 23 (H.S.): Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will visit Canada from May 25 to May 27 to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries. During the visit, he will lead a delegation comprising nearly 150 business leaders and Indian industrialists.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said that the delegation led by Goyal will hold meetings with Canadian ministers, business leaders, and industry groups in Ottawa and Toronto with the objective of enhancing economic cooperation.

According to the ministry, the visit comes at a time when both countries are seeking to revive economic engagement following a slowdown in bilateral trade negotiations caused by diplomatic tensions between India and Canada.

Speaking at a press conference, Goyal expressed optimism that India and Canada would be able to conclude a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) covering sectors such as energy and critical minerals, while also creating new opportunities for Indian textile and leather industries.

The discussions during the visit are expected to focus primarily on cooperation in technology, food processing, clean energy, and critical minerals.

Notably, during Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to New Delhi in March, both countries had agreed to finalise the terms for negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed at deepening economic and trade relations between India and Canada.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar