India’s Goyal to visit Canada with 150 business leaders to boost trade ties

India's Trade Minister Piyush ​Goyal will visit Canada between May ​25 and May 27, heading ‌a delegation ​of about 150 Indian industry leaders as part of efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties ‌between the two countries.

India's Trade Minister Piyush ​Goyal will visit Canada between May ​25 and May 27, heading ‌a delegation ​of about 150 Indian industry leaders as part of efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties ‌between the two countries. Goyal told a news briefing on Saturday that the delegation would hold meetings with Canadian ministers, business leaders and industry groups in Ottawa ‌and Toronto.

* India and Canada have been seeking to revive economic engagement ‌after diplomatic tensions slowed bilateral trade talks. * India expects to sign a free trade agreement with Canada covering sectors such as energy and critical minerals, while creating opportunities for Indian ⁠textile ​and leather companies, Goyal ⁠said.

* During Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to New Delhi in March, both countries agreed ⁠to finalise the terms of reference for negotiating a comprehensive economic partnership agreement. * ​Goyal said discussions during the trip would focus on cooperation in technology, ⁠food processing, clean energy and critical minerals.

* Canadian pension funds and companies have invested nearly $100 ⁠billion ​in India and about 600 Canadian companies operate in India, with both sides aiming to raise that number to 1,000, Goyal said. * India ⁠and Canada aim to reach $50 billion in bilateral trade over the next five ⁠years and ⁠increase Canadian investment, he said.

* Both countries have renewed discussions on a broader trade deal and maintain strong ties ‌in agriculture, ‌energy, education and technology.