July 19, 2026 – Islamabad, Pakistan – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will visit Pakistan and the Philippines this week to deepen Canada’s strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

In Pakistan, Minister Anand will meet with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss strengthening relations, including bilateral ties and trade and investment between Canada and Pakistan. Minister Anand’s visit marks a significant milestone in Canada-Pakistan relations – the first visit of a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in almost 20 years.

On July 22, Minister Anand will attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Post Ministerial Conference Plus Canada in Manila, Philippines. This meeting brings together the 11 ASEAN member states and Canada to discuss progress made through the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership and will look ahead to commemorating the 50^th anniversary of relations in 2027.

On July 23, Minister Anand will attend the ASEAN Regional Forum where she will discuss pressing regional and global security challenges with her counterparts, including the crisis in Myanmar, tensions in the East and South China Seas, North Korea’s illicit weapons programs, Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war in Ukraine and the evolving situation in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz. The Minister will explore ways to enhance collaboration with ASEAN to address accelerating maritime, hybrid and cyber threats, including scam centres and cyber threats to critical infrastructure.

While in Manila, Minister Anand will also meet with several counterparts to strengthen bilateral and trade relations. This visit demonstrates Canada’s commitment to continue strengthening ties with those in the region, in line with the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS).