Foreign Affairs Minister Anand Says Indo-Pacific Strategy Will Have Economic Focus but Maintain Values

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan (R) greets Foreign Minister Anita Anand during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Post-Ministerial Conference at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on July 10, 2025. Bernama via AP

OTTAWA—Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says the economy is becoming the primary focus of Canada’s relationships in the Indo-Pacific — a shift that appears linked to Canada’s recent moves to overcome its security dispute with India.

Anand was in Japan and Malaysia this week for her first trip to the region since taking over as foreign minister in May. Her message coming out of that trip was that Canada’s foreign policy is shifting — though not abandoning — the priorities set by the previous Liberal government of former prime minister Justin Trudeau.