Realizing the ‘Other Half of Diplomacy’ in Southeast Asia: Will Canada’s Efforts Last?

Abstract:

A full-court press is now on for Ottawa to re-establish its relationship with Southeast Asia. A flurry of visits and new initiatives have shown that Canada has begun to attend to the ‘other half of diplomacy’ in the region. This could mark the re-establishment of a meaningful Canadian presence in Southeast Asia. However, past experience raises questions regarding Ottawa’s staying power and whether the activity will coalesce around a coherent, longer-term, Asia agenda for Canada.