India

Agri-food and plant protein. Specialty pulses, pulse protein and ingredients, IP food-grade soybeans, food-grade oats, flax and hemp. Pulse Canada in Winnipeg runs the most direct India market-access channel available to Manitoba firms.

Food-processing, packaging and cold-chain equipment. India is subsidising a food-processing build-out (PLISFPI, PMKSY and PMFME schemes). Manitoba’s machinery base lines up with the investment the TCS cites in processing, logistics and cold chain.

Aerospace and space. India’s space sector is projected to reach US$44 billion by 2033, with satcom at US$14.8 billion. MRO and sustainment are a named opportunity, and aerospace is a Team Canada mission priority sector.

Forestry and wood products. An emerging market for Canadian softwood, engineered wood, doors, windows and commercial fit-outs, backed by new CFIA heat-treatment access from January 2025. Certification credentials matter.

Clean tech. Water and wastewater treatment at municipal or industrial scale, against $1.4 trillion invested in infrastructure through 2025.

ICT and deep tech. The realistic route is R&D collaboration through the Canadian International Innovation Program rather than direct sales.

• Import policy. DGFT classifies every product as Free or Restricted. Confirm yours is Free before anything else.
• Duties. CBIC sets applied MFN duty by notification, and rates can change inside a season (yellow peas went to 30% on 1 November 2025). Pull the current rate for your HS code and record the date you checked.
• No preferential tariff. Until CEPA is ratified, no sector has preferential access. Build landed cost at today’s MFN duty and model the CEPA case separately.
• Food licensing. Any food product needs the FSSAI and FoSCoS licensing and labelling path opened early. It gates entry.
• Forestry. CFIA heat-treatment access applies from January 2025; check the phytosanitary requirements for your product.

Trade moves at container or lot scale in specialty, certified or identity-preserved product; bulk commodities are out of scope for most Manitoba SMEs. Pick your target states first, then identify which of the eight Canadian trade offices covers them. The TCS publishes vetted in-market service-provider lists for Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai; pull the list for your target city before hiring local counsel or logistics.

• India is several markets. State governments set their own business policies and industrial incentives, and consumer preferences differ by region. A single national plan does not transfer.
• English is the language of business across all 28 states and 8 union territories.
• The TCS advises expecting a complex regulatory environment, regional differences and evolving market conditions. Success requires thorough research, local partnerships and a long-term commitment.
• Importer lobbies are active on policy. The pea duties followed lobbying by the Indian Pulses and Grains Association; expect the same dynamic in other sectors.
• Manitoba has no in-market representative yet. Until the provincial trade representative is appointed, referrals run through the TCS, EDC and the bilateral chambers.