Politics: Visit of Canadian Foreign Affairs Minster to India expected to end “bitterness”

The coming visit of Melanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, to India for two days on February 6 and 7 is expected to end “bitterness”  and make a new beginning in the bilateral relations between the two nations.

“Because of its strategic, economic and demographic importance in the world, India is a critical partner in Canada’s pursuit of its objectives under our Indo-Pacific strategy (IPS) and on the global stage,” says an official statement announcing the visit of a Canadian Federal Minister to India after a long gap.

Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that her travel to Delhi, India, would deepen bilateral ties and foster stronger partnerships. She will build on the two countries’ shared tradition of democracy and pluralism, a common commitment to a rules-based international system and multilateralism, mutual interest in expanding our commercial relationship and strengthening our extensive and growing people-to-people connections.

“Simply put: the rise of the Indo-Pacific can create extraordinary local benefits, as well as opportunities for prosperity, economic growth and better paying jobs across Canada. From Cleantech to critical minerals and education programs, there is a demand in India for what Canadians make, and grow, and the services we provide. I look forward to my first official visit to India in order to strengthen our engagement, which is paramount to our Indo-Pacific Strategy,”  says Mélanie Joly.

Prior to this visit, Minister Joly had held two bilateral meetings and two calls with Minister Jaishankar. Canada and India have deep ties built on shared democratic values and a long-standing friendship. The wide-ranging bilateral cooperation between Canada and India spans the fields of science and technology, finance, education, defence and security.

The deep people-to-people connections between Canada and India are at the heart of our relationship. There are 1.8 million Canadians of Indian origin in Canada, and India is the primary source of new immigrants to Canada.

In 2021, India was Canada’s 13th-largest merchandise trade partner, and the relationship has been steadily growing. Two-way foreign direct investment between Canada and India amounted to $4.6 billion, with Canadian direct investment in India standing at $2.9 billion. In addition, Canadian portfolio and institutional investment into India reached $70 billion.

In Delhi, Minister Joly will meet with her Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, to advance Canada’s engagement with India under the Indo-Pacific Strategy, and create opportunities for growth and prosperity for the two countries. Both ministers will identify areas where Canadian and Indian interests converge and where the two countries could further collaborate on global and regional issues, especially as India holds the presidency of the G20 this year.

Minister Joly will also engage with key stakeholders in India’s business and civil society communities regarding Canada’s robust agenda with India under the IPS. She will seek to generate momentum for a stronger, more open and more prosperous partnership between Canada and the Indo-Pacific region that firmly supports regional peace, stability and the rules-based international order.

Prabhjot Singh