Broader Bilateral Push: Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Korea Talks Highlighted

In addition to talks with France, Minister Goyal engaged Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu to review the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Both sides reiterated a shared ambition to raise bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030.

A separate meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Commerce Minister Majid bin Abdullah Al‑Kasabi explored the idea of an India‑Gulf Cooperation Council free‑trade framework, aiming to broaden investment channels across the region.

Goyal also sat with South Korea’s Trade Minister Park Jung‑sung to discuss upgrading the India‑South Korea CEPA. Discussions covered enhanced market access for Indian agricultural, pharmaceutical and marine products, as well as increased Korean manufacturing investment in India.

These engagements underscore India’s strategy of diversifying partnerships across major economies while pursuing deeper market integration.