Canadian Foreign Minister Joly to visit India from Feb 6

According to a press statement from the Government of Canada, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly stated on Saturday (local time) that she will make her first official trip to India on February 6 to 7 to expand bilateral ties and develop stronger partnerships.

“As I depart for my first official trip to India, I’m looking forward to strengthen our relationship, putting our Indo-Pacific Strategy into action,” tweeted Joly. She will build on the two countries’ shared tradition of democracy and pluralism, a common commitment to a rules-based international system and multilateralism, and mutual interest in expanding our commercial relationship and strengthening our extensive and growing people-to-people connections, added the release.

Minister Joly will meet with her Indian colleague S Jaishankar in Delhi to enhance Canada’s engagement with India under the Indo-Pacific Strategy and generate possibilities for both nations’ progress and prosperity.

Both ministers will identify areas where Canadian and Indian interests intersect and where the two nations can work together more closely on global and regional challenges, especially given India’s G20 leadership this year, according to the statement.

Minister Joly will also meet with important leaders in India’s business and civil society organisations to discuss Canada’s comprehensive Indo-Pacific Strategy agenda with India.

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 said the release.

“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,” said Joly.