In the News

Carney’s Indo-Pacific Diplomacy and Canada’s New Middle-Power Strategy

Policy Magazine, March 15, 2026

Guest Contributor: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:  "Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent tour of India, Australia, and Japan was more than a series of diplomatic engagements. It was the first real test of the foreign-policy vision Carney outlined in his global-milestone Davos speech: that in a more fragmented and uncertain world, middle powers like Canada must diversify partnerships, strengthen economic resilience, and work more closely with like-minded countries.

"...Taken together, the three visits highlight an important nuance in Carney’s emerging foreign policy. Conversations in India, Australia, and Japan made clear that Canada’s Indo-Pacific partners are not embracing a narrative of rupture with the United States."

Canadian think tank experts urge Taiwan to join forces with Canada to ensure energy security

CNA, March 13, 2026

Guest Contributor: Barrett Bingley, Asia Regional Director (Singapore Office), APF Canada

Excerpt:  "Barrett Bingley...told the Central News Agency that it is dangerous for Taiwan's energy lifeline to pass through a strait controlled by an adversary.

"This is because the Strait of Hormuz could be influenced by Iran in a crisis, while the South China Sea is a sea area claimed by China. In other words, Taiwan's key energy supply routes are simultaneously affected by the geopolitics of two potential adversaries.

"Bingley suggested that Taiwan take this opportunity to reposition its energy strategy. He said that Canada is actively expanding its liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity, with projects such as LNG Canada Phase 2 in British Columbia and the Ksi Lisims LNG project underway...and Taiwan should invest in Canadian LNG to take control of its energy security."

Experts Urge Deeper PH-Canada Ties Amid Global Economic Tensions

The Manila Standard, March 13, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:   Vina Nadjibulla outlined three key areas for deepened collaboration: strengthening resilient supply chains, advancing cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, and expanding policy frameworks that support secure trade and investment.

​"At a time of growing global uncertainty, strengthening this partnership has never been more important," she said. "The Philippines has emerged as an anchor partner for Canada in the region, and there is a real opportunity now to deepen our economic and security cooperation in ways that deliver concrete benefits for both countries."

Canada, Philippines push FTA for economic security

Daily Tribune (Manila), March 12, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:   With negotiations underway for a potential Canada-Philippines Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and global supply chains facing rising geopolitical risks, Philippine and Canadian experts called for stronger bilateral cooperation on economic security, emerging technologies and resilient trade systems during the “Building Economic Security through Strengthened Canada-Philippines Partnership” conference on 13 March at Makati Shangri-La, Makati City. 

Vina Nadjibulla, Vice President for Research and Strategy at APF Canada, said strengthening economic resilience is becoming a key component of national security strategies.

“Because the world is more dangerous, the best way to move through this to navigate these more choppy waters is to strengthen our own economic resilience,” Nadjibulla said.

She noted that Canada is planning to quadruple its defense investments over the next decade, which could also generate economic opportunities through innovation and industrial partnerships.

Participants also underscored the importance of trusted digital infrastructure, cybersecurity cooperation and resilient supply chains to help both economies guard against disruptions and sustain long-term growth.

The Middle East situation presents a new opportunity for Canada-Taiwan relations.

Singtao, March 11, 2026

Guest Contributor: Barrett Bingley, Asia Regional Director (Singapore Office), APF Canada

Excerpt:  "Iranian drone strikes at Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar—the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) complex—brought all production to a halt and caused Asian LNG benchmark prices to surge by nearly 40% in a single trading day.

"For Taiwan, an economy that imports nearly 98% of its energy and sources about a quarter of its natural gas from Qatar—this is not a disturbance in a distant market, but a direct threat to its power grid. This grid powers semiconductor wafer fabs, data centers, and advanced manufacturing facilities, on which Taiwan's economy—and a vital part of the global technology supply chain—depends.

India and Canada Reset Ties with Increased Defence Cooperation

CDA Institute - Expert Series (Podcast), March 11, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:   Nadjibulla says PM Carney's trip to India, Australia, and Japan was an opportunity to "build on his Davos speech and translate that into local realities." 

In India, she said Carney was focused on "consolidating the reset and repair" of the Canada-India relationship. 

She highlights the divergence between the Canadian public opinion and the Ottawa's approach to India, calling it a "tale of two trips." But when it comes to the join statement between PM Carney and PM Modi, she notes some welcome additions to the partnership. 

"Security and defence were noted as a foundational layer in the relationship... and that is new, that is something many did not expect... there is now a security and law enforcement mechanism that has been set up... to deal with the challenges in the [Canada-India] relationship" including foreign interference. 

Carney wraps up Indo-Pacific trade trip with new Japan partnership

CTV News, March 7, 2026

Featuring: Christine Nakamura, Vice-President, Central Canada Office, APF Canada

Excerpt:   Nakamura tells CTV News that the signing of a new partnership with Japan "demonstrates that the relationship is definitely elevated.... with Prime Minister Carney's visit... the way the Japanese have welcomed him... [shows] the relationship is on the way up." 

Speaking on the future areas for co-operation between Canada and Japan, Nakamura affirms that there is "room for growth" in economic ties and investment. She also see's further co-operation in the defence sector, noting that several agreements were signed recently to "help facilitate... the strengthening of defence co-operation which is very important to both Canada and Japan and part of [Canada's] Indo-Pacific Strategy."  

Mark Carney signs new strategic partnership with Japan

CTV News, March 6, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:   Vina Nadjibulla points to the North Pacific Ocean as a gateway to the Arctic, the context underlined by ongoing diplomatic disputes and tensions between China and Japan.

“We need to be doing a lot more with Japan and with Korea when it comes to understanding the threat from China and Russia to basically Canada’s Western part of our Arctic,” she told CTV News.

Nadjibulla says it’s a good time for Carney to be visiting in general, given Takaichi’s landslide win and commitment to investing in Japanese defence and security.

“She has popular support in a way that we haven’t seen in many, many years in Japan,” Nadjibulla.

China’s economic leaders share plans for growth, trade, tech development

CNA, March 6, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:   In this short trip to Japan, Nadjibulla tells CNA (starting at 29:00) that PM Carney is "going to try to do a lot to deepen and elevate an already strong partnership with Japan." 

She said the trip will have a broad-ranging agenda with discussions on "critical minerals and energy" to Canada's "defence and economic security partnership" with Japan which has been strengthen throughout 2025. 

"In the current global environment... there is a lot that Canada and Japan can do together." 
 

Mark Carney signs new strategic partnership with Japan

BNN Bloomberg, March 6, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:   “We need to be doing a lot more with Japan and with Korea when it comes to understanding the threat from China and Russia to basically Canada’s Western part of our Arctic,” she told CTV News.

She says it’s a good time for Carney to be visiting in general, given Takaichi’s landslide win and commitment to investing in Japanese defence and security.

“She has popular support in a way that we haven’t seen in many, many years in Japan... She’s investing in Japan’s partnerships with other democracies. So it’s a great moment for Prime Minister Carney to essentially further deepen that relationship.”

Carney to cap Indo-Pacific trip with Tokyo visit focused on trade, security

The Canadian Press, March 5, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:   “The trip is long overdue, given how significant Japan is as a partner for us in the region,” Nadjibulla said in a recent interview.

Ottawa has said repeatedly that Japan is a major priority country for Canada, and polling shows it’s often the Asian country Canadians trust most, Nadjibulla said.

“The relationship is in a really good place. But because of that, it’s easy to overlook it and to not give it the kind of attention that it deserves."

In Tokyo, Carney signs agreement with Japanese counterpart to expand trade and defence ties

CBC News, March 5, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:   "I think Japan was watching the China trip with a little bit more trepidation than our other allies would,” Nadjibulla told CBC News. “Japan is a big investor in the Canadian auto sector. Inviting Chinese investments — that will have implications for the Japanese."

China and Japan don’t get along, and there’s been some recent tension driven by Japan's pledge to defend Taiwan if attacked and subsequent Chinese economic and military retaliation.

“So much of our focus has been, of course, on President Trump and his economic coercion. But Japan is still dealing with a very difficult situation with China. I think, for Canada, we need to show democratic solidarity and we need to have some frank conversations with them about our Indo-Pacific strategy and how it’s evolving."

Carney in Australia to build on ‘important’ trade, defence relationship

The Canadian Press, March 3, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:   “Australia obviously is a natural partner for Canada in the Indo-Pacific,” Asia Pacific Foundation vice-president Vina Nadjibulla said in an interview last month.

Both countries are commodity exporters, and Nadjibulla noted that Beijing has swapped sourcing imports from one country or the other at times of friction, such as buying Australian canola products when it restricted Canadian imports during a diplomatic row.

Among Indo-Pacific nations, Australia has been “by far the leading source” of foreign direct investment in both directions for Canada, Nadjibulla said, particularly for Canadian pension funds

Carney lands in Australia looking to draw closer to a Commonwealth cousin also grappling with Trump

CBC News, March 3, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:   “Australia is extremely close to Canada in terms of our values but it's geographically so far away that a lot of times Canadians don't think about how important Australia can be for us as a partner,” said Najibulla.

“I think this trip provides an opportunity to get a closer look of the state of the relationship now, but also the potential of the relationship moving forward."

Carney Down Under

The Hill Times - Politics This Morning, March 3, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:   Reflecting on Carney’s visit, an expert in Indo-Pacific policy told Politics This Morning that Canada must diversify its trade with India, but not leave public safety on the back burner either. 

Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President (Research & Strategy) at Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, said Canada must pursue both its agendas simultaneously.

“In some ways, having more dialogue with India could help in moving forward on the security and law enforcement file as well, as long as there is genuine cooperation and discussions and progress made on that track,” she said.  

A new poll commissioned by the foundation released on Mar. 1 showed that while a majority of Canadians are in favour of extending ties with India, they are also cautious about the pace of the talks. 

Carney in Australia to deepen trade and defence ties with 'natural partner'

Time Colonist, March 3, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:   "Australia obviously is a natural partner for Canada in the Indo-Pacific," Nadjibulla said in a recent interview.

"Australia has a lot more inroads in its relationships, and Canada wants to do more. We can pool resources essentially, and bring more scale and more depth when we show up in that region, if we partner with Australia," she said.

While Australia has been grappling with the erratic policies of U.S. President Donald Trump, Nadjibulla said it's important to remember that Canada is far more integrated into the American economy by virtue of proximity.

"They're less exposed to the volatility and unpredictability of Trump," she said. "Public opinion is not as focused on President Trump in Australia. They're much more focused on Southeast Asia, where Ottawa has various trade deals signed or under negotiation."

Have Modi & Carney Reset India-Canada Relations?

TVO Today - The Rundown, March 2, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:   Promises from both the PM Carney and PM Modi to fast-track negotiations on a Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement by the end of the year is "one of the critical outcomes of Prime Minister Carney's visit," Nadjibulla tells TVO Today. 

That agreement would "unlock about $30 billion in additional trade.... create a more predictable environment for our business... [and] reduce tariffs for certain exporters." 

While Canada and India have a history of diplomatic and economic tension, Nadjibulla says we "have to see this as a new opportunity" as Canada and India are both approaching these new negotiations with "a lot more urgency than they have in the past."
 

What’s at stake as Canada deepens economic and security ties with India?

CBC News - Power & Politics, March 2, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:   "Now prime minister Carney will need to bring these two narratives together. He's going to have to bridge the enormous economic potential he sees in the relationship with India, and how critical that is for Canada's economic resilience, with the remaining challenges and the hesitation that exists here in Canada about deeper relations with India." 

"...The [Canadian] government believes that the two things can happen in parallel, that in fact they are mutually reinforcing. They would argue that in the last few months, there has been more co-operation from India... than there has been in the last two years... in the current global environment.... they feel we do not have the luxury of not engaging with India."

Canada’s new trade deal with India an ‘elevation of the relationship,' global affairs expert says

CTV News, March 2, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:   The signing of $5.5 B in trade deals between Canada-India marks a "significant day in Canada-India relations" Nadjibulla told CTV. 

"There is a real, clear economic logic to this relationship now" with both parties looking to wrap up negotiations on a Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement within the next year. 

"I think there is a huge economic complementarity here and the prime minister's trying to focus the relationship there and use that dialogue to then be able to push issues on foreign interference." 

Comparatively, she also says "there is a lot more opportunity with India" than with China, whom Canada's has also looked to reset relations with late last year. 

Majority of Canadians support Carney’s ongoing India visit, survey finds

Hindustan Times, March 2, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt:  Polling from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute  in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada found that 53% of respondents thought it “is the right time for Carney to go on an official visit to India, with a further 7% believing the trip is too long in coming.”

Commenting of these findings, Vina Nadjibulla, said, “the diplomatic reset with India has not yet translated into a public opinion reset. Canadians support engagement — but they don’t feel positively about India. If Ottawa wants this reset to endure, it will need to clearly articulate why India matters to Canada’s economic security and diversification in a more fragmented global economy.”

“The reset has political space, but it hasn’t yet translated into public warmth. That means governments now have to clearly articulate why India matters to Canada’s economic security and diversification and the visit has to translate into concrete results Canadian can see."