In March, Trade Minister Ed Fast marked the conclusion of the ninth round of negotiations toward a Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), reaffirming that “Canada remains committed to concluding an ambitious agreement with India”. Curiously, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's March 25 press release announcing Mr. Modi's visit makes no mention of the fact the two countries are negotiating a trade agreement. Earlier this week, The Globe's Barrie McKenna described the talks as a “mostly aspirational goal.” Written by John Weekes and published in the Globe and Mail.