Sitharaman begins Canada visit for first India-Canada economic dialogue

Washington,UPDATED: Aug 25, 2026 23:56 IST

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in Toronto on Tuesday on a four-day visit to Canada, where she will take part in the first India-Canada Economic and Financial Dialogue and a series of business engagements. She will then travel to the United States for the G20 Finance Ministers' meeting and other bilateral and business meetings.

The visit is centred on economic and financial cooperation between India and Canada, with discussions set to cover macroeconomic developments, investment opportunities, financial sector links and shared international priorities. It will also include meetings with business leaders and company executives, followed by the US leg of the trip from August 28 to September 2.

Sitharaman was received at Toronto Pearson Airport by India's Consul General Mahaveer Singhvi. In Canada, she will participate in the inaugural Economic and Financial Dialogue with Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne. An official statement said the dialogue will provide an important platform for both sides to exchange views on macroeconomic developments, financial sector cooperation, bilateral investment opportunities and shared international priorities, and to further strengthen the economic and financial pillar of the renewed India-Canada partnership.

She will also take part in an investment roundtable with leading CEOs, presidents and senior representatives from sectors such as energy, artificial intelligence and critical minerals. The interaction is aimed at encouraging greater business-to-business links, identifying investment opportunities and promoting long-term commercial partnerships between India and Canada, including opportunities in GIFT City-IFSC.

At another business roundtable, Sitharaman will engage with senior business leaders on opportunities for Canada-India cooperation, long-term investment and the growth of the financial sector. Senior managing directors and chief executive officers of Indian public sector banks will also join the discussions, offering a chance to explore greater financial sector collaboration and investment linkages.

The Canadian Club of Toronto, in partnership with the Canada-India Business Council, will host a fireside conversation between Sitharaman and Champagne on advancing shared economic interests between the two countries. The discussion will cover the renewed Canada-India bilateral relationship, the investment climate, domestic economic priorities and the evolution and future direction of India-Canada economic and financial relations. Sitharaman will also hold one-to-one meetings with CEOs and senior leadership of companies based in Canada, with talks expected to focus on investment opportunities, India's growth prospects and ways to expand the presence of Canadian businesses in India.

During the US leg of her visit, Sitharaman will travel to Chicago, Asheville and New York from August 28 to September 2. She will attend the G20 Finance Ministers' meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, and hold a series of bilateral and business engagements, rounding off a visit focused on expanding economic dialogue, investment ties and financial cooperation.

With PTI Inputs

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