7^th February 2023 – The Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly is on a 2-day visit to India and met with External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar yesterday in Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

In a statement released by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) India, both ministers discussed about the progress of the bilateral relations, growing business and trade, mobility of students and professionals and shared concern for an inclusive Indo-Pacific.

Later in the day, Melanie Joly said in a tweet, “We will build on our people-to-people ties, commitment to a rules-based order and our desire to expand our commercial relationship. We look forward to supporting India in their G20 relationship.”

Dr. S. Jaishankar also tweeted about this meeting and wrote, “Deliberated on deepening our bilateral partnership, focusing on trade, investment, mobility, education and security. Recognized the centrality of people to people ties to the expansion of our cooperation.”

This is the first high-level meeting of state officials after Canada released its Indo-Pacific strategy in November last year. The freshly updated Indo-Pacific strategy document found India to be a key partner for Canada given the challenges it faces against China in the region.

To the read the full statement by MEA, click here.