Minister Anand concludes visit to Japan and Malaysia to strengthen Indo-Pacific partnerships
Global Affairs Canada
News release
July 11, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today concluded her successful visit to Japan and Malaysia to deepen Canada's strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.
In Tokyo, Japan, Minister Anand met with Iwaya Takeshi, Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs, and to sign the Canada-Japan Security of Information Agreement. This was an important milestone in the strategic partnership between Canada and Japan as the agreement will deepen defence and security collaboration between the two countries.
Minister Anand also met with Hayashi Yoshimasa, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, to discuss security and economic issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
At the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Post Ministerial Conference Plus Canada, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Minister Anand highlighted Canada's commitment to collaborate with ASEAN to address global security threats and enhancing economic security and supply-chain resilience. Canada's sustained engagement with ASEAN reinforces Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) in promoting security, economic opportunity and strong international partnerships.
While the ASEAN- Canada Strategic Partnership is thriving, it is unfolding in the context of increasing global instability. At the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Minister Anand emphasized Canada's support for international law and ASEAN's central role in upholding a secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. She noted that Canada views the ARF as a vital platform for constructive dialogue on pressing global and regional challenges, including the crisis in Myanmar, tensions in the East and South China seas, military cooperation between North Korea and Russia and growing insecurity in the Middle East.
While in Kuala Lumpur, Minister Anand met with Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Malaysia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, and several of her counterparts from:
- Australia
- Bangladesh
- China
- Indonesia
- Laos
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Vietnam
Minister Anand used these meetings to advance bilateral and multilateral economic opportunities, as well as shared priorities, in the region.
After the conference, Minister Anand spoke with ASEAN and Canadian trade negotiators, as well as business representatives, to build on the work of the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, the Minister of International Trade, to conclude an ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA). This agreement would bolster trade and investment opportunities in the region for Canadian businesses.
Quick facts
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Canada enjoys steadily growing trade relations with Japan and Malaysia, which are underpinned by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The CPTPP provides Canadian businesses with preferential access to 10 Indo-Pacific markets.
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Ongoing ACAFTA negotiations aim to provide Canadian companies with new preferential access to the ASEAN market.
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As a founding member of the ARF, which began in 1994, Canada continues to be an active participant.
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ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organization that includes 10 member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Timor-Leste is an observer to ASEAN.
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As a group of countries, the 10 member states of ASEAN represented Canada's fourth-largest merchandise trading partner in 2024.
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Launched in 2022, Canada's IPS has committed Canada to advancing 5 strategic objectives in the region, including in relation to security, trade, sustainability and regional engagement.
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