Canada suspends talks on trade treaty with India
However, Justin Trudeau will be traveling to India as early as this week.
Late last week, Canada abruptly announced it was suspending negotiations on a trade treaty with India. Only three months had passed since the two countries had said they intended to conclude an agreement this year.
The countries have periodically started negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement since 2010. The last time such negotiations were resumed was last year.
"Trade negotiations are long, complex processes. And we've paused to take stock of where we are," a government official told reporters ahead of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's trip to New Delhi this week. The official, who requested anonymity, would not provide further details.
India's representative to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, told The Canadian Press on Friday that the Canadian government had asked for a pause "within the last month" but did not explain why.
In May, India and Canada said they intend to sign an initial agreement this year to increase trade and investment and set up a dispute resolution mechanism.
A senior Indian trade official said last month that the Indian government plans to hold bilateral free trade talks with Canada and other countries on the sidelines of the G20 summit next week. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will attend the summit.
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