Tag: Indo-Pacific

The closed-door roundtable between Japan’s National Institute for Defense Studies and Indian experts at CSDR reviewed Indo-Pacific security shifts, major-power rivalry, and implications for regional alignment. It also discussed India-Japan defense cooperation, the Quad’s evolving role, and the increasing influence of the Global South in global governance.

The roundtable discussion will examine how shifting geopolitics—from the Trump–Xi accord to Middle Eastern realignments and a possible Russia–Ukraine ceasefire—are reshaping India’s strategic environment. It will assess implications for ASEAN, Gulf energy, IMEC, and how India balances BRICS+ ambitions with practical security and supply-chain partnerships like the Quad.

This Track 1.5 dialogue brought together Indian and Canadian officials, industry leaders, and experts to explore practical avenues for security and defense cooperation. Discussions focused on Indo-Pacific maritime security, defense-industrial collaboration, dual-use technology development, training exchanges, and opportunities for supply-chain integration aligned with the momentum of the October 2025 joint statement.

The roundtable highlighted how India–US ties are being reshaped by Trump 2.0’s transactional approach, tighter great-power competition, and shifting Indo-Pacific dynamics. While defense and technology cooperation are expanding, renewed pressures on trade, digital policy, and burden-sharing present challenges. India’s task will be balancing alignment with autonomy amid evolving US–China rivalry

Together with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, we hosted the Canada-India Conclave to reflect on the evolving bilateral partnership. With renewed momentum after the 2025 joint statement, the event highlighted opportunities in trade, technology, and innovation, featuring keynote addresses and a panel on strengthening economic resilience and future-focused collaboration.

India-Canada bilateral trade reached CAD 30.9 billion in 2024 but remains underutilized. Despite 2023 diplomatic tensions, economic ties proved resilient. A proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) could add CAD 8.8 billion in trade by 2035. Priority sectors include pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, agriculture, IT services, and clean energy, offering mutual strategic benefits.