Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs)

A CEPA is a broader form of free trade agreement that covers not just goods but also services, investments, intellectual property, and regulatory frameworks. India has previously signed CEPAs with the UAE (2022), Australia (ECTA, 2022), and the UK (2025), establishing a pattern of "next-generation" trade agreements that go beyond tariff reduction.

The India-Canada CEPA would be especially significant given Canada's strengths in critical minerals, clean technology, and financial services — sectors where India has growing demand.