Pakistan and Canada have agreed to expand bilateral cooperation across key sectors and institutionalise their relationship through annual meetings, following talks between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand in Islamabad.
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The meeting marked a significant milestone in diplomatic relations, as Anand became the first Canadian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in nearly two decades. During delegation-level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides reviewed bilateral ties and exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.
According to the Foreign Office, the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their mutually beneficial partnership by increasing cooperation in priority areas and holding annual meetings to monitor progress on an agreed Joint Statement.
Welcoming his Canadian counterpart, Ishaq Dar highlighted the importance of the visit and stressed the need for more frequent high-level engagements between the two countries. He said Pakistan and Canada have considerable potential to enhance collaboration in trade, investment, defence and security.
Dar noted that the longstanding relationship between the two nations is reinforced by a vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Canada and is built on mutual respect, democratic values and strong people-to-people connections. He expressed hope that the discussions would lead to practical outcomes and provide renewed momentum for bilateral relations.
Minister Anand said she looked forward to revitalising ties between the two countries, noting that approximately 80 years of diplomatic relations had created a solid foundation for deeper engagement. She highlighted opportunities for cooperation in sectors including agriculture, agri-food, manufacturing and economic development.
Anand also pointed to the contribution of nearly 300,000 Canadians of Pakistani origin in strengthening relations between the two countries. She said the evolving international landscape made closer cooperation increasingly important.
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The Canadian government described the visit as an important step toward expanding Canada’s strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. Bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries reached approximately $1.2 billion in 2025, while negotiations on a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement continued earlier this year, reflecting growing economic engagement.