Starting of a dialogue between Foreign Ministers of Canada and India in New Delhi on Monday is an indication of concerted efforts to sort out differences that had strained the bilateral relations between the two great friendly nations.
If the communique issued after the meeting is any indication, discussions between Canadian External Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Indian Minister for External Affairs Subramanyam Jaishankar were held in a cordial atmosphere as both the parties evinced keen interest in long term partnerships and understanding on various global and bilateral issues.
The Canada-India Strategic Dialogue, which marked a decade since the first Strategic Dialogue was held, attested the enduring, close ties between Canada and India as well as their continued collaboration on shared foreign policy priorities.
During the meeting, the Ministers discussed strengthening the economic partnership between Canada and India, advancing security cooperation, facilitating migration and mobility between the two countries, and growing our strong people-to-people ties.
The Ministers also discussed furthering Canada-India cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, following the announcement of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy in November. Canada and India share a common vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, anchored in our shared values of democracy, pluralism, and the rule of law.
Minister Jaishankar and Minister Joly also exchanged views on priorities for the G20, which India is hosting this year. Canada and India will work closely together to achieve ambitious outcomes in the G20 including on priority areas like economic growth, women-led development, and green transitions.
India, as G20 President, is playing host to the G20 summit this year. Some preliminary sessions have already been held in Chandigarh, Bengaluru and a session is also expected in Amritsar next month.
Looking ahead, Minister Joly and Minister Jaishankar will continue to work towards advancing the Canada-India Partnership for Security and Growth as part of wider and growing cooperation between our governments on a range of shared priorities this year.
Ms Melanie Joly is on a two-day state visit to India.
Prabhjot Singh