Before the G20 summit, Canada halts rapid-fire trade negotiations with India for an unspecified reason

The administration of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unexpectedly asked for a break in trade negotiations with India. The choice was made just before the much anticipated 18th G20 conference in India. Also getting ready to go to New Delhi for the conference is PM Truedeau.

The delay was instituted, according to the Indian High Commissioner to Canada, as originally reported on Friday by the Canadian Press.

Sanjay Kumar Verma said through email that “the Canadian side has suggested a ‘pause’ to the ongoing quick-moving negotiations on an early-progress trade agreement with India.”

Although I am not aware of the specific reason(s), he went on to say, “I believe the ‘pause’ will allow for more stakeholder consultations.”

A request for response from the office of Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng was not immediately fulfilled.

Canada-India Trade Relations
Piyush Goyal, the minister of commerce and industry, visited Ottawa back in May, and both parties seemed upbeat.

Canada and India have an erratic trading relationship that has recently gained extraordinary steam under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration in an effort to diversify Canada’s economy away from China. Part of that more comprehensive Indo-Pacific plan is a trade agreement with India.

A sizable Indian diaspora lives in Canada, including the biggest Sikh community outside of India.