Anita Indira Anand, Canada's first foreign minister to visit Pakistan in 20 years, invited her counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, to attend the 2027 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference.

Incidentally, she becomes the first Canadian minister of Indian descent to visit Pakistan.

In a joint statement issued after a meeting between the delegation of Canada, led by Anita Indira Anand, and the Pakistan delegation under Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, it was stated that "Both sides expressed satisfaction at the close cooperation between Pakistan and Canada in multilateral fora, including the United Nations, and agreed to continue advancing their cooperation." The two ministers discussed regional peace and security challenges, including their impacts on civilians and the economy. They also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan and the ongoing threat of terrorism.

Also read: What the New York Times archive reveals about how the world's press wrote Pakistan's Kargil script

"The two ministers agreed to further strengthen security sector collaboration in the areas of counterterrorism and combating transnational organised crime. Minister Anand announced that Canada will continue to support Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts via different projects through the UN, INTERPOL and other organisations.

"Recognising the international challenges of climate change and poverty, Minister Anand announced development assistance projects in the areas of education, climate resilience, and health.

"The two ministers agreed that the Pakistan-Canada relationship has entered a new era of opportunity in which broad sectors of both countries are called upon to deepen cooperation and advance mutual interests. The ministers look forward to increased bilateral engagement. Both sides underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges and agreed to review progress annually." 

Anita Indira Anand will also meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss strengthening relations, including bilateral ties and trade and investment between Canada and Pakistan.

An official statement issued by Canada said that Minister Dar received Foreign Minister Anand at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a one-on-one meeting and detailed talks that covered the broad contours of Pakistan-Canada bilateral ties and issues of mutual interest. Noting the renewed momentum in bilateral engagement, both sides expressed shared resolve to strengthen Pakistan-Canada bilateral relations through increased trade and investment and people-to-people exchanges.

"Minister Dar also provided an update on Pakistan’s mediation efforts regarding the ongoing conflict in the region. Foreign Minister Anand thanked Pakistan for its mediation role that culminated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Both sides underscored the need for a sustainable ceasefire and for upholding the commitments under the Islamabad MoU. The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to continue their cooperation to help address global challenges and promote peace and prosperity.

Both sides noted the successful holding of the 6th round of bilateral consultations in February 2026 and reaffirmed the importance of the platform for advancing shared priorities and exploring new avenues for strategic collaboration. They underscored the importance of expanding cooperation through stronger economic, academic, and institutional linkages.

"Recognising the contributions of over 300,000 strong Pakistani diaspora and over 9,000 Pakistani students in Canada, the two ministers re-affirmed the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties, cultural exchanges and tourism and further improving mobility between Pakistan and Canada. They also acknowledged the value of parliamentary exchanges and agreed to encourage cooperation between their respective legislatures.

"Minister Dar and Minister Anand emphasised the importance of trade and investment as a key driver for mutual prosperity and economic resilience. They welcomed progress toward a Pakistan-Canada Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (FIPA) and emphasised the importance of regular engagement to conclude negotiations at the earliest. Both sides also agreed to revive the Pakistan-Canada Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment,” the statement said.

Interestingly, the joint statement did not mention a word about India or its growing role on the South Asian continent and in ASEAN.

Canada-Pakistan relations are underpinned by extensive people-to-people ties, with more than 300,000 Canadians of Pakistani origin in Canada and approximately 20,000 Canadians in Pakistan.

In 2025, Canada-Pakistan bilateral merchandise trade will aggregate approximately $1.2 billion, with $499.7 million – up 65 per cent since 2024 – in Canadian exports to Pakistan and $696 million in imports.

Canadian canola seed exports to Pakistan resumed in late 2025, totalling $426 million so far. In June 2026, Canada hosted the second round of negotiations toward a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement with Pakistan.

After her Pakistan visit, Anita Indira Anand will travel to the Philippines on July 22 to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Post Ministerial Conference Plus Canada in Manila, Philippines. This meeting brings together the 11 ASEAN member states and Canada to discuss progress made through the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership and will look ahead to commemorating the 50th anniversary of relations in 2027.

On July 23, Minister Anand will attend the ASEAN Regional Forum, where she will discuss pressing regional and global security challenges with her counterparts, including the crisis in Myanmar, tensions in the East and South China Seas, North Korea’s illicit weapons programmes, Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war in Ukraine and the evolving situation in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz. The minister will explore ways to enhance collaboration with ASEAN to address accelerating maritime, hybrid, and cyber threats, including scam centres and cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure.

While in Manila, Minister Anand will also meet with several counterparts to strengthen bilateral and trade relations. This visit demonstrates Canada’s commitment to continuing to strengthen ties with those in the region, in line with the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS).

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