India's growing strategic, economic importance makes it critical partner for Canada in Indo-Pacific: S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held wide-ranging talks with his visiting Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly with a focus on boosting overall bilateral engagement, including in areas of trade and investment.

Joly began her two-day visit to India this morning.

"Welcomed Foreign Minister @melaniejoly of Canada today in Hyderabad House. Look forward to productive discussions," Jaishankar tweeted before the talks.


In an address at a think-tank here, Jolly said India's growing strategic, economic and demographic importance makes it a critical partner for Canada in the Indo-Pacific.

In return, Canada can be a reliable supplier of critical minerals, a strong partner in the green transition and a major investor, she said.

Joly also met officials of a number of Canadian business firms operating in India.

"Meeting with Canadian businesses in Delhi. India's economic and population growth are driving demand for education, health services, food, critical minerals and green infrastructure. These are all sectors of Canadian strength and we must grasp these opportunities," she tweeted.

Besides ways to boost bilateral ties, Jaishankar and Jolly, in their talks, were expected to focus on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of growing global concern over China's increasing military muscle-flexing in the region.

In November, Canada came out with a comprehensive strategy for the Indo-Pacific that aimed to promote peace, resilience and security.

Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy also listed India as a key player in the region and said Ottawa will focus on expanding economic engagement with New Delhi including through deeper trade and investment, as well as cooperating on building resilient supply chains.

"India's strategic importance and leadership -- both across the region and globally -- will only increase as India, the world's biggest democracy, becomes the most populous country in the world and continues to grow its economy," the Canadian policy mentioned.