Ottawa/IBNS: Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly is currently visiting Delhi to deepen bilateral ties and foster stronger partnerships.

Her intention is to build on the two countries' shared tradition of democracy with a commitment to a rules-based international system and multilateralism, sharing a mutual interest in expanding and strengthening the commercial relationships in growing people-to-people connections.

Committing to creating opportunities for growth and prosperity for the two countries, Joly will meet in Delhi with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, her Indian counterpart to advance Canada’s engagement with India under the Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Both ministers will identify areas where Canadian and Indian interests converge to further collaborate on global and regional issues especially as India holds the presidency of the G20 this year.

To firmly support regional peace, stability and the rules-based international order, Joly would engage with key stakeholders in India’s business and civil society communities regarding Canada’s robust agenda with India under the IPS and promote a stronger, more open and more prosperous partnership between Canada and the Indo-Pacific region.

India’s strategic, economic and demographic importance in the world makes it a critical partner in Canada’s pursuit of its objectives under the Indo-Pacific strategy (IPS) and on the global stage. 

“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…I look forward to my first official visit to India in order to strengthen our engagement, which is paramount to our Indo-Pacific Strategy,” said Joly in the news release.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)