‘Political issues’ delay resumption of Canada trade talks
Free trade agreement (FTA) talks between India and Canada, on pause since September 2023, will not be resumed unless political issues that have soured bilateral relations are addressed, two people aware of the matter said.
The negotiations will not resume unless the Canadian government addresses the issues raised by India and the political issues between both countries find a resolution, said the first person mentioned above, who didn’t want to be named.
“As of now, there is no timeline for resuming the talks between both countries,” the person added.
Spokespersons of India’s commerce ministry and the Canadian high commission didn’t respond to emailed queries.
Canada halted the talks in September 2023, after they resumed nearly after a decade in March 2022, stating that both countries would mutually decide on resuming the talks in the future.
Both countries, talking off and on since 2010 about a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, relaunched negotiations for an interim agreement in March 2023.
At the time of pausing the talks, over half-a-dozen rounds of negotiations had taken place.
Interestingly, Canada will be conducting its federal election to elect members of its parliament in 2025, which could lead to a change in guard at the helm of the Canadian government.
“The elections could throw up a new government at the helm, which could have a different view (of the political issues with India),” the first person mentioned above added.
During the trade negotiations between both countries, Indian businesses were looking for duty-free access for various products like textiles and leather, and easy visa norms for the movement of professionals, while Canadian firms were eyeing easier access in sectors like dairy and farm products.