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Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Indira Anand, the first Canadian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in nearly 20 years, has invited Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar to attend the 2027 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference.
Anand also becomes the first Canadian cabinet minister of Indian descent to visit Pakistan.
Following talks between the Canadian delegation led by Anand and the Pakistani delegation headed by Dar, the two countries issued a joint statement highlighting their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
“Both sides expressed satisfaction with the close cooperation between Pakistan and Canada in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, and agreed to continue advancing their cooperation,” the statement said.
The ministers discussed regional peace and security challenges, including their impact on civilians and the economy. They also exchanged views on developments in Afghanistan and the continuing threat of terrorism.
“The two ministers agreed to further strengthen security sector collaboration in the areas of counterterrorism and combating transnational organized crime. Minister Anand announced that Canada will continue to support Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts through various projects implemented by the United Nations, INTERPOL, and other organizations,” the statement said.
Addressing global challenges such as climate change and poverty, Anand also announced Canadian development assistance projects focused on education, climate resilience, and health.
“The two ministers agreed that the Pakistan-Canada relationship has entered a new era of opportunity in which broad sectors of both countries are called upon to deepen cooperation and advance mutual interests. The ministers look forward to increased bilateral engagement. Both sides underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges and agreed to review progress annually,” the joint statement added.
During her visit, Anand also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss expanding bilateral relations, including trade and investment. According to the Canadian government, the visit marks the first by a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in almost two decades.
A separate Canadian government statement said Dar welcomed Anand at Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a one-on-one meeting followed by detailed bilateral discussions covering a wide range of issues.
Noting renewed momentum in bilateral engagement, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relations through increased trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.
“Minister Dar also provided an update on Pakistan’s mediation efforts regarding the ongoing conflict in the region. Foreign Minister Anand thanked Pakistan for its mediation role that culminated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Both sides underscored the need for a sustainable ceasefire and for upholding the commitments under the Islamabad MoU. The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to continue cooperating to address global challenges and promote peace and prosperity,” the statement said.
The two countries also welcomed the successful conclusion of the sixth round of bilateral consultations in February 2026 and reaffirmed the importance of the dialogue in advancing shared priorities and identifying new opportunities for strategic cooperation. They emphasized expanding economic, academic, and institutional partnerships.
“Recognizing the contributions of more than 300,000 members of the Pakistani diaspora and over 9,000 Pakistani students in Canada, the two ministers reaffirmed the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties, cultural exchanges, tourism, and mobility between Pakistan and Canada. They also acknowledged the value of parliamentary exchanges and agreed to encourage greater cooperation between their respective legislatures,” the statement said.
Dar and Anand also underscored the importance of trade and investment as drivers of economic growth and resilience. They welcomed progress in negotiations on a Pakistan-Canada Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) and stressed the importance of regular engagement to conclude the talks as soon as possible.
“Both sides also agreed to revive the Pakistan-Canada Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment,” the statement added.
Notably, the joint statement did not mention India or its expanding role in South Asia and the broader ASEAN region.
Canada-Pakistan relations are supported by extensive people-to-people ties, including more than 300,000 Canadians of Pakistani origin and approximately 20,000 Canadian citizens residing in Pakistan.
According to the Canadian government, bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries reached approximately $1.2 billion in 2025, including $499.7 million in Canadian exports to Pakistan, a 65 percent increase over 2024, and $696 million in imports from Pakistan.
Canadian canola seed exports to Pakistan resumed in late 2025 and have totaled $426 million to date. In June 2026, Canada hosted the second round of negotiations on the proposed Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement with Pakistan.
Following her Pakistan visit, Anand will travel to the Philippines on July 22 to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Post-Ministerial Conference Plus Canada in Manila. The meeting will bring together Canada and the 10 ASEAN member states, along with Timor-Leste, to review progress under the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership and prepare for the 50th anniversary of relations in 2027.
On July 23, Anand will participate in the ASEAN Regional Forum, where she is expected to discuss regional and global security issues, including the crisis in Myanmar, tensions in the East and South China Seas, North Korea’s weapons programs, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the evolving situation in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz.
She will also explore ways to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN partners on maritime security, cyber threats, hybrid threats, scam centers, and cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure.
While in Manila, Anand is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with several counterparts to advance diplomatic, economic, and trade ties. According to the Canadian government, the visit underscores Canada’s commitment to strengthening engagement in the Indo-Pacific region in line with its Indo-Pacific Strategy.
