Canada, as a Pacific nation, is committed to strengthening its defence relationships and to supporting the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific and around the world.
To advance Canada's defence relationships in the Indo-Pacific, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, attended the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore from June 2-3, 2023, where delegates from more than 50 countries gathered to discuss regional security challenges and engage in important bilateral discussions with Indo-Pacific counterparts. During her trip to Singapore, Minister Anand was accompanied by Chief of the Defence Staff, General Wayne Eyre, Ms. Jacqui O'Neill, Canada's Ambassador for Women, Peace, and Security, and senior National Defence officials.
In Singapore, Minister Anand participated in a Shangri-La Dialogue Plenary Session entitled Building a Stable and Balanced Asia-Pacific. The Minister reiterated that Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy will bolster its defence presence in the region and announced several initiatives to strengthen Canada's defence relationships in the Indo-Pacific.
Minister Anand later noted that on June 3, HMCS Montreal sailed through the Taiwan Strait along with United States Navy Destroyer, USS Chung-Hoon. This sail was done in full accordance with international law, specifically the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Canada will continue to work with allied and partner navies in support of regional peace and stability.
During her visit to Singapore, Minister Anand met with:
- Ukraine's Defence Minister, Oleksii Reznikov. Minister Anand reiterated that Canada's support for Ukraine is unwavering. Minister Reznikov provided an update on Ukraine's current security needs, and Minister Anand stated that Canada will continue to provide Ukraine with comprehensive military assistance. Minister Anand updated Minister Reznikov on the ongoing delivery of the over $1 billion in military aid committed by Canada so far, and the two Ministers discussed Canada's ongoing training efforts under Operation UNIFIER in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Latvia.
- Philippines Department of National Defence Senior Undersecretary; Officer-in-Charge Carlito Galvez Jr. The Ministers discussed the regional security situation and Minister Anand reiterated that Canada is increasing its defence presence in the region through the Indo-Pacific Strategy, in support of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The Ministers welcomed opportunities to grow defence cooperation between Canada and the Philippines - including in the area of Women, Peace, and Security.
- Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles. Minister Anand and Deputy Prime Minister Marles discussed Canada's Defence Policy Update and Australia's Defence Strategic Review. They also discussed the high level of cooperation between Canada and Australia as Five Eyes Allies, and how Canada and Australia can continue to work together in support of the rules-based international order.
- Singapore's Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen. Minister Anand thanked her counterpart for once again hosting the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The Ministers discussed the implementation of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, as well as the significant progress made on the Defence Cooperation Arrangement signed by the two ministers last year. This Arrangement enables increased opportunities for interaction and partnership between the two countries' armed forces.
- Republic of Korea Defence Minister Lee Jong-Sup. The Ministers discussed Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy and welcomed the defence research and development Memorandum of Understanding recently signed between Canada and the Republic of Korea. Minister Anand noted Canada's historic and ongoing contributions to Korean security and noted that the next Deputy Commander of the United Nations Command in the Republic of Korea will be a Canadian General Officer/Flag Officer.
- The United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, and Germany's Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius. During this trilateral meeting, the Ministers discussed the ongoing work of NATO Allies to bolster assurance and deterrence measures on the eastern flank of the Alliance, and how NATO Allies are working together to provide Ukraine the aid that it needs to defend itself.
