Union Minister Piyush Goyal wrapped up a major investment push in Toronto, meeting Canada’s top CEOs across banking, insurance, food processing and critical minerals to deepen India-Canada economic ties
Rapidly expanding India’s global investment footprint, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal concluded a series of one-on-one meetings with Canada’s top corporate chieftains in Toronto.
The bilateral marathons focused squarely on securing multi-billion-dollar commitments in infrastructure, financial services, sustainable food chains, and critical tech minerals.
Goyal’s schedule featured discussions with the leaders of Canada’s largest banking, insurance, and asset management institutions.
Goyal held detailed discussions with Chairman & CEO V Prem Watsa to evaluate the firm’s deep, existing footprints in India, including major stakes in Bengaluru International Airport, and mapped out aggressive new avenues for collaboration across manufacturing, logistics, and clean energy.
Delighted to meet Mr. V. Prem Watsa, Chairman & CEO, Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.
Discussed India’s strong economic growth trajectory and opportunities for deeper collaboration across infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing, logistics, and clean energy sectors.… pic.twitter.com/iJK8aN9f2W
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) May 27, 2026
The Minister met independently with Sun Life President & CEO Kevin Strain and Manulife Financial Corporation chief Phil Witherington. The conversations targeted expanding investments in healthcare financing, retirement solutions, and broadening insurance access within India’s fast-evolving financial services ecosystem.
Held a productive interaction with Mr. Kevin Strain, President & CEO, @SunLifeCA, on opportunities for expanding collaboration in insurance, retirement solutions, healthcare financing, and long-term investments in India’s rapidly growing financial services ecosystem.
Noted Sun… pic.twitter.com/hx3Ynmjohk
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) May 27, 2026
Held a meeting with Mr. Philip Witherington, President & CEO of Manulife Financial Corporation.
Discussed investment opportunities & avenues for collaboration, given India’s expanding financial services ecosystem. pic.twitter.com/hZzaisfcXa
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) May 27, 2026
In his bilateral sit-down with Raymond Chun, President & CEO of TD Bank Group, Goyal pitched India’s hyper-advanced Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), exploring tech integrations across retail banking, fintech, and digital payments to ease cross-border capital flows.
Held a meeting with Mr. Raymond Chun, President & CEO of Toronto Dominion Bank Group (@TD_Canada).
Discussed opportunities to deepen collaboration in banking, fintech, digital payments and investment facilitation while highlighting the immense potential of India’s growing… pic.twitter.com/WwDKgdwXFk
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) May 27, 2026
Shifting gears from high finance to industrial manufacturing, the Minister secured operational commitments to insulate Indian supply chains from global geopolitical shocks.
Meeting with President & CEO Max Koeune of Mccain Foods, Goyal reviewed the brand’s expansive sourcing network in India, which partners directly with thousands of local potato farmers. The two explored upgrading cold-chain infrastructure, modernising food processing, and scaling up production to position India as a key food-processing export hub for Asia.
Good conversations and shared optimism with Mr. Max Koeune, President & CEO of McCain Foods.
McCain’s longstanding presence in India empowers thousands of farmers through assured potato sourcing, supports local producers, and delights consumers with iconic favourites like McCain… pic.twitter.com/Ka4UDdKSTc
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) May 27, 2026
In a highly strategic meeting with CEO Rahim Suleman, Goyal explored critical minerals and rare earth element processing. The framework addresses secure, reliable sourcing of advanced materials vital for India’s domestic electric vehicle (EV), semiconductor, and aerospace manufacturing sectors.
‘The ultimate bridge’
Following his boardroom meetings, Minister Goyal addressed a vibrant reception honouring the Indian diaspora in Canada. Speaking to a packed audience of entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders, the Minister described the diaspora as the “ultimate organic bridge” fostering trust between the two democracies.
Always a delight to interact with Indians who carry the Tricolour in their hearts, thousands of miles away from home… 🇮🇳🇨🇦
At the community reception hosted by the Consulate General of @IndiaInToronto, Canada, highlighted India’s remarkable economic transformation under the… pic.twitter.com/BsozAvzUSK
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) May 27, 2026
Goyal praised the community for showcasing India’s core values of hard work and inclusivity, noting that their entrepreneurial success forms the foundational soft power that allows the Indian government to negotiate high-level economic pacts like the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa).
“The trust our businesses have in one another is mirrored perfectly by the respect the Indian diaspora has earned here in Canada,” Goyal stated.
First Published:
May 27, 2026, 09:53 IST
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