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Hemant Shah to head Canada India Trade Development Committee
Diaspora-led initiative aims to complement CEPA talks and boost bilateral trade momentum
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Prabhjot Paul Singh - Tue, 28, Apr 2026
- 15:56 EDT
- 17
Hemant Shah / LinkedIn
Amid renewed momentum in India-Canada economic relations, the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) has constituted an India Trade Development Committee under the chairmanship of veteran business leader Hemant Shah to complement ongoing government-led efforts and strengthen bilateral trade.
At CHCC, Shah and his team are expected to work closely with government officials and the private sector to enhance trade and investment opportunities between the two countries, building on recent progress in diplomatic and economic engagement.
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The move follows high-level engagements, including a visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to India for the Canada-India Growth and Investment Forum in Mumbai, signaling a commitment to repairing and deepening economic ties.
Both nations have renewed their economic partnership with the aim of finalizing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of 2026. The agreement is expected to serve as a durable economic anchor for trade, with a target of expanding bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion (approximately INR 4.65 lakh crore) by 2030.
Key pillars of the initiative, as outlined in the March 2026 joint statement, include formal negotiations toward the CEPA, long-term liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply arrangements, and investments in critical minerals. This includes a major uranium supply agreement with Cameco, alongside support for private investment such as pension fund participation in infrastructure and renewable energy projects.
Additional areas of cooperation include strengthening financial connectivity through collaboration between the National Payments Corporation of India and Payments Canada to facilitate instant payments and cross-border remittances, as well as a Joint Work Plan under the India-Canada Energy Dialogue to address long-term contracts and trade logistics.
Within this broader framework, CHCC’s initiative aims to play a supporting role in accelerating business-to-business engagement and facilitating trade linkages across sectors.
Shah brings more than five decades of experience in international trade, with deep involvement in Manitoba–India commerce. His work spans sectors including agricultural exports, mining equipment, aviation, machinery, and pilot training.
A seasoned global traveler with extensive engagement in India and the subcontinent, Shah is widely known in business circles as “Mr India” of Winnipeg. Over the years, he has established export opportunities across the region and has received multiple recognitions from business communities and governments.
The formation of the committee reflects a growing effort by diaspora-led organizations to align with government initiatives and contribute to strengthening economic ties between India and Canada.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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