CANADA will spend $74.6 million to enhance its visa processing capacity within Canada’s centralized network as well as in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Islamabad, and Manila to support stronger peoples-to-people ties.

This is one of the objectives mentioned in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy that was launched on Sunday by Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly.

The strategy presents a comprehensive road map to deepen Canada’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific over the next decade, increasing its contributions to regional peace and security, strengthening economic growth and resilience, enhancing its significant people-to-people ties, and supporting sustainable development across the region.

The central tenet of the Indo-Pacific Strategy is acting in Canada’s national interests, while defending its values. It positions Canada as a reliable partner to the region, now and into the future. It is an ambitious plan, beginning with an investment of almost $2.3 billion over the next five years, the government said.

This whole-of-society strategy puts forward how Canada intends to actively work with allies and partners to shape the future of the region, in the midst of a generational global shift.

Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy includes five interconnected strategic objectives.

1. Promoting peace, resilience, and security

To advance Canada’s regional peace and security interests, the Government will invest over $720 million. This includes, but is not limited to:

• $492.9 million to reinforce Canada’s Indo-Pacific naval presence and increase Canadian Armed Forces participation in regional military exercises;
• $47.3 million to launch a new multi-department initiative to help develop cyber security capacity in select regional partners.

2. Expanding trade, investment, and supply-chain resilience

To foster open, rules-based trade and support Canada’s economic prosperity, Canada will invest $240.6 million. This includes, but is not limited to:

• $24.1 million to establish the Canadian Trade Gateway in Southeast Asia to expand Canada’s business, investment and networks in the region;
• $31.8 million to establish Canada’s first agriculture office in the region to increase and diversify agriculture and agri-food exports to the Indo-Pacific;
• $13.5 million to expand natural resource ties with Indo-Pacific partners – in trade, investment, and science, technology and innovation.

3. Investing in and connecting people

To forge stronger people-to-people ties with the Indo-Pacific, Canada will contribute $261.7 million. This includes, but is not limited to:

• $100 million in Feminist International Assistance Policy development funding to support the Indo-Pacific;
• $74.6 million to enhance Canada’s visa processing capacity within Canada’s centralized network as well as in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Islamabad, and Manila to support stronger peoples-to-people ties.

4. Building a sustainable and green future

As part of its commitment to build a clean future, Canada has committed a total of $913.3 million. This includes, but is not limited to:

• $750 million to enhance the capacity of FinDev Canada to expand its operations into the Indo-Pacific and accelerate its work in priority markets in order to support high-quality, sustainable infrastructure.
• $84.3 million to help reinforce a healthy marine environment in the Indo-Pacific region including enhanced measures against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

5. Canada as an active and engaged partner in the Indo-Pacific

To strengthen its presence, visibility and influence in the region, Canada has committed a total of $143.3 million. This includes, but is not limited to:

• $92.5 million to significantly expand capacity at Canada’s missions abroad and within Global Affairs Canada.
• $24.5 million for a new office of the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada in the region to help build and strengthen relations with local partners.