Canada eyes new avenues for trade, economic cooperation with Pakistan as FM Anand visits Islamabad

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand on Monday expressed her country’s interest in exploring new avenues for trade and bilateral cooperation with Pakistan as she met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.</p> <p>Anand is on a one-day official visit to Pakistan, during which she held separate meetings with PM Shehbaz as well as Deputy PM and FM Ishaq Dar.</p> <p>According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) following their meeting, Anand expressed the “keen desire of her government to explore new opportunities for trade and cooperation, especially in the field of agriculture, mining, energy as well as in the auto and auto parts industry”.</p> <p>The Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (<a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/670874">FIPPA</a>) would be “instrumental” in enhancing Canadian investors’ confidence to invest in Pakistan, the PMO quoted her as saying.</p> <p>The PMO statement, which described the meeting as “warm and cordial”, further quoted Anand as saying that her visit was on the instructions of PM Mark Carney to “expand Canada’s relations with Pakistan”.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/PakPMO/status/2079180230024130724'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/PakPMO/status/2079180230024130724"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> <p>PM Shehbaz noted that the two countries “enjoyed friendly ties that needed to be further expanded, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, agriculture, including agri-foods and vaccine manufacturing, renewable energy, as well as the automobile and auto parts industry”.</p> <p>The premier conveyed his greetings and best wishes for PM Carney and said he looked forward to meeting him soon, the PMO stated. “He fondly recalled the telephone <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="link--external" href="https://x.com/CMShehbaz/status/2043752731568185463?lang=en">conversation</a> with his Canadian counterpart in April, and thanked Canada for supporting Pakistan’s regional peace efforts,” it added.</p> <p>“Both sides agreed that the Pakistani Canadian community was acting as a vital bridge between the two nations,” the PMO statement read.</p> <p>They also agreed to exchange delegations in the fields of trade and minerals cooperation, to explore mutually beneficial opportunities, with a view to further enhance bilateral trade and investment prospects.</p> <p>Separately, Islamabad and Ottawa also signed a protocol on the phytosanitary import requirements for genetically modified <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1953065">canola</a> intended for food, feed and processing (FFP) from Canada to Pakistan.</p> <p>The protocol “reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Canada to strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture and trade”, the Foreign Office (FO) emphasised. The protocol was signed by Dar and Anand.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2079188857321553989'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2079188857321553989"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> <p>Dar also hosted a banquet lunch in FM Anand’s honour, which was attended by ministers and senior officials from both sides.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2079182794614522310'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2079182794614522310"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> <h2><a id="economic-cooperation-remains-a-key-priority" href="#economic-cooperation-remains-a-key-priority" class="heading-permalink" aria-hidden="true" title="Permalink"></a>‘Economic cooperation remains a key priority’</h2> <p>Earlier in the day, Dar hailed FM Anand’s visit as an “important milestone” in bilateral ties, stressing that economic cooperation remained a “key priority” in the two countries’ relationship.</p> <p>“Her visit is an important milestone in Pakistan-Canada relations and reflects our shared commitment to further strengthening our bilateral ties,” Dar said while addressing a joint press briefing with Anand.</p> <p>“Pakistan and Canada enjoy long-standing and multifaceted relations underpinned by historical linkages, people-to-people contacts and a vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Canada,” he highlighted.</p> <p>The deputy premier noted that economic cooperation remained a “key priority” in the bilateral relationship with Canada.</p> <p>He said the two sides discussed ways to further expand trade and investment ties, including greater facilitation of business-to-business (B2B) linkages and enhanced engagement in areas of mutual interest.</p> <p>Dar said Pakistan welcomed Canadian investment in “priority sectors, including education, energy, mining and critical minerals, agriculture infrastructure and information technology”.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed ' data-original-src='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axxWJhbrmqs'> <div class='media__item media__item--youtube '><iframe src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/axxWJhbrmqs?enablejsapi=1&controls=1&modestbranding=1&rel=0' loading='lazy' allowfullscreen='' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' width='100%' height='100%'></iframe></div> </figure> <p>“Our discussions today provided an opportunity to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and exchanges on regional and global issues of mutual interest,” Dar elaborated.</p> <p>He added that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to sustained engagement and agreed to build upon the momentum generated by Anand’s visit “through enhanced institutional cooperation, regular bilateral consultations and greater interaction between relevant ministries and stakeholders”.</p> <p>Dar further said that he and Anand discussed the “important role of investment facilitation in providing a facilitative framework for investors and invited Canadian companies to explore emerging technologies in Pakistan”.</p> <p>Their discussions also covered cooperation in the areas of education, labour mobility, science and tech, climate change, and people-to-people exchanges. “We expressed our shared interests in further strengthening these areas of cooperation,” the DPM said.</p> <p>He further said that the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (Nafsa) — <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1923874">established last year</a> to modernise Pakistan’s agricultural trade infrastructure — and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency would explore opportunities for technical cooperation and capacity building in the future.</p> <p>Dar said they also discussed the importance of advancing FIPPA, adding that both sides welcomed continued engagement towards an “early and mutually beneficial conclusion” of the agreement.</p> <p>In her remarks, Anand appreciated the “warm welcome” accorded to her in Islamabad and pointed out that it has been approximately 20 years since a Canadian foreign minister visited Pakistan.</p> <p>“Today is an important day for the continued increased bilateral relationship between our two countries,” she said.</p> <p>“Our two countries have shared 80 years of diplomatic relations and there is continued work to do, of course, to deepen our ties in the area of economic relationships, trade and investment,” the Canadian FM noted.</p> <h2><a id="dar-raises-issues-of-iwt-weaponisation-of-water" href="#dar-raises-issues-of-iwt-weaponisation-of-water" class="heading-permalink" aria-hidden="true" title="Permalink"></a>Dar raises issues of IWT, ‘weaponisation of water’</h2> <p>Addressing the joint briefing, Dar said he and Anand also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the situation in Afghanistan and counterterrorism cooperation.</p> <p>Dar said he raised the issue of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, noting it remained “one of the long-outstanding unresolved international disputes” and had been on the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) agenda since 1948.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven' data-original-src='https://www.dawn.com/news/2014553'> <div class='media__item media__item--newskitlink '> <iframe class="nk-iframe" width="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="height:250px;position:relative" src="https://www.dawn.com/news/card/2014553" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-popups allow-modals allow-forms"></iframe></div> </figure> <p>FM Dar highlighted that India has “added a new dynamic into an already volatile security situation” by <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1906075">announcing</a> in April 2025 to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance.</p> <p>“We seek the support of our friendly countries, including Canada, towards India’s immediate restoration of the IWT, ending the <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2011838">weaponisation of water</a> and upholding international law and treaty obligations as per international law and practices,” Dar said.</p> <p>Concluding his remarks, Dar said Pakistan “appreciates Canada’s constructive engagement and looks forward to further deepening our bilateral relationship based on mutual respect, shared interest and common desire to promote peace, stability and prosperity”.</p> <h2><a id="islamabad-attaches-great-importance-to-ties-with-ottawa" href="#islamabad-attaches-great-importance-to-ties-with-ottawa" class="heading-permalink" aria-hidden="true" title="Permalink"></a>‘Islamabad attaches great importance to ties with Ottawa’</h2> <p>Pakistan and Canada also held delegation-level talks, where the two sides reviewed “recent developments in Pakistan–Canada bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international developments”, the FO said.</p> <p>“They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the mutually beneficial partnership, agreed to expand cooperation in priority sectors, and decided to hold annual meetings to review progress on the agreed joint statement,” FO stated.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2079132588346880245'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2079132588346880245"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> <p>Addressing the talks, Dar said, “We need to meet more frequently in our capitals. We have the possibility and the capability of raising our bilateral relations, in terms of trade, defence and investment; there is a huge scope.”</p> <p>Noting that there was a huge Pakistani diaspora in Canada, he said, “Pakistan attaches great importance to the long-standing relationship we have enjoyed with your country.”</p> <p>He hoped that Monday’s discussions would translate “renewed momentum” into “concrete outcomes”.</p> <p>For her part, Anand said that she gave thanks for a warm welcome.</p> <p>“This is the first visit of a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in almost 20 years. This is the 80th year or so of diplomatic relations between our countries. We have more work to do together to ensure that across sectors … there is a strong bilateral relationship,” she said.</p> <h2><a id="fm-anand-welcomed-in-islamabad" href="#fm-anand-welcomed-in-islamabad" class="heading-permalink" aria-hidden="true" title="Permalink"></a>FM Anand welcomed in Islamabad</h2> <p>Dar had welcomed the visiting dignitary to the FO in the morning. Visuals shared by state-run <em>PTV</em> on the social media platform X showed Dar and Anand posing for pictures and shaking hands.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2079117788933951741'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2079117788933951741"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2079121498795893209'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2079121498795893209"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> <p>In a statement issued on Sunday, the FO said the visit is Anand’s first trip to Pakistan since assuming office. The FO said the visiting dignitary and Dar will hold bilateral talks “covering the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Canada relations”.</p> <p>“The discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, education, and people-to-people exchanges. The two ministers will also exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest,” the FO said.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2078835608701776218'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2078835608701776218"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> <p>It added that Anand will also call on the leadership of Pakistan. According to Global Affairs Canada, Anand is also expected to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.</p> <p>The FO stated that both Pakistan and Canada “maintain cordial bilateral relations anchored in close people-to-people ties enriched by the vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Canada”.</p> <p>“This visit underscores the shared commitment of both countries to expand mutual cooperation,” it highlighted.</p> This development from dawn.com highlights ongoing changes in the sector.