New Delhi, Sept. 18 -- India and Canada want to conclude a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of 2026. The fourth round of negotiations is underway in New Delhi this week. Mint explains why the proposed trade agreement matters and what is at stake for both sides.

India and Canada formally relaunched negotiations for a CEPA when Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited India in March. The countries set an end-2026 deadline for concluding the pact and agreed to work towards increasing bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030.

Both countries want stronger economic ties following a period of strained bilateral relations. The CEPA is positioned as a broader economic framework covering goods, services, investments...