Toronto, Feb. 25 -- The trade ministers of Canada and India held a virtual meeting on Monday as the launch of negotiations towards clinching the comprehensive economic partnership agreement or CEPA is expected to be announced during Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to India later this week. In a post on X, Canada's Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu said the conversation was intended to "continue building momentum in our trading relationship and advancing discussions towards a CEPA trade agreement." "With more than (CA)$30 billion in annual bilateral trade between Canada and India, there is strong potential to unlock new opportunities for Canadian exporters, strengthen commercial ties, and drive growth for businesses and workers in both countries," he added. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal posted that they focused on "on advancing discussions related" to CEPA. The period for public consultations has expired and the formal launch of negotiations is expected during Carney's visit to India, which is scheduled to begin on February 27 in Mumbai, before he travels to New Delhi for engagements including the bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A senior Indian official told the Hindustan Times that if the terms of reference for the pact, currently under discussion, are ready, "we will be able to launch the negotiations" during the visit. Those terms are being discussed virtually by trade negotiators from the two countries. "If it's ready by then. If not, at least they will speak about moving forward on the CEPA," the official said....