Ottawa: Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Anita Anand, will embark on a six-day visit to India, Singapore, and China from October 12 to 17, aiming to reinforce Canada’s diplomatic and economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. The trip underscores Ottawa’s ongoing efforts to implement its Indo-Pacific Strategy by deepening partnerships across trade, energy, and security sectors.
According to a statement from Global Affairs Canada, Minister Anand’s multi-nation tour will focus on expanding bilateral relations, advancing strategic cooperation, and positioning Canada as a reliable and trusted partner in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.
Strengthening Ties with India
Minister Anand will begin her visit in India, where she is scheduled to meet with Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal in New Delhi. The discussions will focus on building a framework for long-term strategic cooperation, particularly in areas such as trade diversification, clean energy transition, and security collaboration.
The visit comes as both countries seek to rebuild and expand their bilateral engagement following a period of diplomatic strain. Anand’s mission is expected to signal Ottawa’s renewed commitment to fostering closer ties with New Delhi under a pragmatic and forward-looking approach.
In addition to official meetings in Delhi, the minister will travel to Mumbai, India’s financial capital, to engage with representatives from Canadian and Indian firms. These discussions will highlight opportunities for investment, job creation, and business partnerships across key sectors including critical minerals, technology, and sustainable energy.
India and Canada share more than 75 years of diplomatic relations, marked by strong people-to-people connections and growing economic linkages. India was Canada’s seventh-largest trading partner in 2024, with two-way trade reaching $33.9 billion. Canadian exports to India were valued at $5.3 billion, primarily in agriculture, energy, and mineral resources.
Marking 60 Years of Canada–Singapore Relations
The next stop on Minister Anand’s itinerary will be Singapore, one of Canada’s closest partners in Southeast Asia. She will meet with Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade, digital innovation, and sustainable development. The meeting is also expected to touch upon ongoing efforts to finalize a free trade agreement between Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which both sides hope to conclude by 2026.
Singapore plays a key role in Canada’s economic engagement with the region, serving as the largest source of foreign direct investment from Southeast Asia. In 2024, Singaporean investments in Canada totaled $7.8 billion, while bilateral merchandise trade reached $3.7 billion, up from $3.2 billion in 2023.
Anand’s visit aims to further deepen these economic ties while reinforcing Canada’s position as a committed partner in the broader Indo-Pacific economic architecture.
Advancing Dialogue with China
Minister Anand will conclude her trip in China, where she is scheduled to meet with Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs. The meeting will mark 55 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and China and follows a recent commitment by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese Premier Li Qiang to reestablish consistent communication channels between the two nations.
The discussions are expected to focus on the Canada–China Strategic Partnership, bilateral trade, and the evolving global context affecting both countries. Minister Anand is likely to address issues relevant to Canada’s economy while emphasizing the importance of maintaining open dialogue despite ongoing geopolitical challenges.
China remains one of Canada’s most significant trading partners. In 2024, total two-way merchandise trade between the two countries reached $118.7 billion, with Canadian exports valued at $29.9 billion and imports at $88.8 billion. More than 1.7 million Canadians are of Chinese origin, forming an important bridge in the cultural and economic relationship between the two nations.
Promoting Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
Minister Anand’s trip aligns with the core goals of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, launched in 2022. The strategy outlines five major objectives: enhancing security and defense cooperation, deepening trade and investment ties, promoting sustainable growth, strengthening regional partnerships, and advancing people-to-people connections.
Speaking ahead of her departure, Minister Anand emphasized the importance of global partnerships in strengthening Canada’s domestic prosperity and international influence.
“For Canada to be strong at home, we need strong, stable partnerships abroad. I am building bridges and increasing cooperation with India, Singapore and China,” Anand said. “In line with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, I will be working to advance efforts to position Canada as a trusted, reliable partner of choice for Indo-Pacific countries and their economies.”
The visit also represents an effort by Ottawa to reassert its diplomatic role in the Indo-Pacific amid growing competition among major powers. Canada’s engagement with countries like India, Singapore, and China highlights its aim to pursue balanced relationships that foster mutual economic growth, regional stability, and shared prosperity.
As Minister Anand sets out on this tour, Canada seeks not only to enhance trade and investment but also to reinforce its long-term vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region—one that supports sustainable development and collective security across the Pacific.
