Anita Anand / X @AnitaAnandMP

In taking yet another step in normalising bilateral relations, the Canadian External Affairs Minister,  Anita Anand, announced she will travel to India, Singapore and China from October 12 to 17. This visit, she said, is to advance bilateral relations and cooperation with these countries as part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.

An indication about the first-ever visit by the Canadian Foreign Minister to India in recent years was given when she held a meeting with her counterpart, S. Jaishankar, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

While talking about her visit, Anita Anand said: “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. 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.”

During her visit to Delhi, India, Minister Anand will meet with Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, as both countries move toward establishing a framework for strategic cooperation on issues such as trade diversification, energy transformation and security. Minister Anand will also travel to Mumbai, India, where she will meet with Canadian and Indian firms working to support investment, job creation and economic opportunity in Canada and India.

Also Read: Canadian, Indian foreign ministers meet on sidelines of UN

 In Singapore, the Minister will meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, to further strengthen Canada’s cooperation with one of its most important partners in Southeast Asia. This meeting comes as Canada and Singapore mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Minister Anand will highlight the progress Canada and ASEAN member states have made toward a free trade agreement and underscore the importance of efforts to conclude negotiations as soon as possible in 2026.

In China, Minister Anand will meet with China’s Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, to continue engagement on the bilateral relationship as Canada and China mark 55 years since establishing diplomatic ties. This meeting builds on the commitment made by Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Premier of China, Li Qiang, to regularise channels of communication between the two countries. The ministers will discuss the Canada-China Strategic Partnership, the evolving bilateral and global context, as well as issues of importance to the Canadian economy. 

Canada and India have shared over 75 years of diplomatic relations. The two countries have a long history of cooperation and are connected by unique and growing people-to-people ties.

India is expected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy in 2025. Canada is committed to supporting and growing its well-established commercial ties with India, including in the agriculture, critical minerals, and energy sectors.

In 2024, India was Canada’s seventh-largest goods and services trading partner, with two-way trade coming to $33.9 billion, while Canada’s merchandise exports to India totalled $5.3 billion.

Singapore is the largest source of foreign direct investment for Canada ($7.8 billion in 2024) in Southeast Asia. In 2024, Canada-Singapore bilateral merchandise trade totalled $3.7 billion, up from $3.2 billion in 2023. 

Strong people-to-people ties link Canada and China. Over 1.7 million Canadian residents are of Chinese origin. Tourism flows and ongoing cultural exchanges enrich bilateral linkages.

 In 2024, China remained the second largest single country trading partner to Canada, totalling $118.7 billion in two-way merchandise trade. Canadian merchandise exports to China were $29.9 billion, while merchandise imports were $88.8 billion.

 Launched in 2022, Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy sets out to advance 5 strategic objectives—from security and trade to sustainability and regional engagement. It reflects Canada’s commitment to deepening partnerships that create shared prosperity with Indo-Pacific economies and contribute to a secure future for people on both sides of the Pacific.