Canada–India ties — a Strategic Partnership, a 1.8-million-strong diaspora and a $70-billion trade goal

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Canada–India ties — a Strategic Partnership, a 1.8-million-strong diaspora and a $70-billion trade goal

Background

Live hook: Canada's International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu announced a Team Canada Trade Mission to India, described as the largest trade delegation Canada has sent to India in over 30 years.
Canada and India share nearly 80 years of diplomatic relations; ties were formally designated a "Strategic Partnership" in 2018, built around ministerial dialogues on foreign policy, trade and investment, finance and energy.
As of the 2021 federal census there are more than 1.8 million Canadians of Indian origin, and India is Canada's largest source country for most immigration categories, with 392,810 Indian study permit holders in Canada in 2024.
Canada has a High Commission in New Delhi and Consulates General in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai; India has a High Commission in Ottawa and Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver.
The two countries have launched negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and Canada aims to more than double two-way trade with India to $70 billion annually by 2030.

Canadians of Indian origin (2021 census): more than 1.8 million Indian study permit holders in Canada (2024): 392,810 Strategic Partnership designated: 2018 Two-way trade target by 2030: $70 billion annually

Why it matters for exams: India–Canada relations — diaspora, diplomatic missions, CEPA — are directly examinable for Kerala PSC and UPSC international relations.

Kerala PSCUPSC

11 October 2026 Source: Global Affairs Canada (international.gc.ca)

In plain words

CEPA Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement — The trade agreement Canada and India are negotiating, covering goods, services, investment, agri-food, digital trade and mobility.