Ottawa/New Delhi, 12 December 2022 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of Canada, Melanie Joly held a telephone conversation with the External Affairs Minister of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Both dignitaries discussed the prospects of growing bilateral relations and people-to-people ties along with areas of collaboration between the two nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
Additionally, the discussion revolved around the mounting international concerns over China’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
They also deliberated upon the advancement of interests regarding India’s presidency as G20 chair. The conversation took place two weeks after Canada released a comprehensive Indo-Pacific strategy.
The strategy will promote peace, resilience, and security while identifying challenges posed in the region.
Also read: US, Australia pledge to cooperate in Indo-Pacific region
Indo-Pacific strategy & India
Canada revealed the long-awaited Indo-Pacific strategy on 27 November through which the country seeks to play its role of promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, India is a key player in the region, and Ottawa will focus on expanding economic engagement with New Delhi.
It includes deeper trade and investment, as well as cooperating on building resilient supply chains and visa facilitation services.
In this vein, the policy statement mentioned, “Canada will seek new opportunities to partner and engage in dialogue in areas of common interest and values with India.”
“The areas of interest include security, and the promotion of democracy, pluralism, and human rights. It will increase the strategic importance and leadership of India.” The statement continued.
The policy discussed the concerns over China. It said, “China has benefitted from the rules-based international order to grow and prosper. It is now actively seeking to reinterpret these rules to gain a greater advantage.”
“China’s assertive pursuit of its security interests, unilateral claims, foreign interference, and increasingly coercive treatment of other countries have significant implications. It is affecting the world equally.” The statement noted.
It is pertinent to note that the policy framework sheds light on respect for the sovereignty of other states as a cornerstone of the rules-based international order. It encourages governments to work together to solve shared problems.
Also read: Canada to reopen Visa Office in Islamabad
