Anand says Canada balancing India trade ties with domestic security, rule of law concerns

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Ottawa is working to strengthen trade and defence ties with India while continuing discussions around domestic security and respect for the rule of law.

Anand made the remarks Tuesday while attending a security and defence event in Ottawa. According to her public comments at the event, Canada views India as an important partner in the Indo-Pacific region but considers issues related to domestic security and the rule of law equally significant.

She said Canada is deepening defence relationships with partners such as India as part of its broader Indo-Pacific engagement. At the same time, she indicated that security concerns remain part of bilateral discussions.

The two-day conference in Ottawa is focused on how NATO allies plan to meet a commitment to spend the equivalent of five per cent of gross domestic product on military expenditures by 2035. Among the speakers is Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen. Jennie Carignan.