Indo-Pacific Initiative

APF Canada’s Indo-Pacific Initiative Programs aim to increase and deepen Canada’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific region while advancing policy discussions and public discourse on key issues of relevance to both Canada and its partners across Asia.

The programs, supported by the Government of Canada through its Indo-Pacific Strategy, convenes strategic dialogues and roundtables, supports the region’s next generation of young leaders, engages three categories of fellows from across the Indo-Pacific: researchers, visiting scholars, and journalists, and supports the India-Canada Research Initiative (ICRI) based in New Delhi at the Council for Strategic and Defense Research (CSDR) providing a platform to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Canada.

Strategic Dialogues & Roundtables

APF Canada convenes Strategic Dialogues and Roundtables that bring together policymakers, private sector leaders, and experts from think-tanks and academia. These sessions aim to build trust, test ideas, and translate them into actionable policy recommendations at a moment when Canada’s Indo-Pacific relationships are expanding rapidly. Our dialogues are designed to be policy-relevant and action-oriented.

Indo-Pacific Visiting Scholars

APF Canada’s Indo-Pacific Visiting Scholars program supports eminent thought leaders from Asia to travel to Canada to share their insights and expertise on the Indo-Pacific region’s security, technological, and economic challenges and opportunities.

This program, supported by the Government of Canada, injects authoritative Asian perspectives directly into Canada’s public discourse and policy process while simultaneously exposing influential regional voices from the Indo-Pacific to Canadian priorities and capabilities.

Indo-Pacific Young Leaders Program

The Indo-Pacific Young Leaders Program (IPYL) is an integral part of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada’s efforts to cultivate long-term ‘Canada competence’ among the region’s next generation of foreign-policy influencers – with funding support from the Government of Canada – by deepening their relationships, understanding, and connections with Canada. Participants gain firsthand insight into Canada’s approach to the Indo-Pacific, while developing valuable networks with Canadian government officials, industry leaders, and experts.

By engaging early- to mid-career professionals already embedded in government ministries, regional organizations such as ASEAN, think-tanks, media outlets, and universities, the program creates a network of emerging leaders who understand Canada, value continued engagement, and can champion bilateral co-operation throughout their careers.

India-Canada Research Initiative (ICRI)

As part of the Indo-Pacific Initiative supported by the Government of Canada, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada launched the India-Canada Research Initiative (ICRI) in September 2024. Based in New Delhi at the Council for Strategic and Defense Research (CSDR), the ICRI provides a platform to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Canada through academic exchange, policy research, and strategic engagement, with a focus on enhancing bilateral co-operation across key sectors.

By bringing together stakeholders from both Canada and India, the ICRI helps to sustain essential communication channels during times of diplomatic strain and produces policy-focused research and recommendations that align with Canada’s broader Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Indo-Pacific Media Fellows

APF Canada’s Indo-Pacific Media Fellows program aims to boost Canada’s visibility in the region by supporting Asia-based journalists to travel to Canada to produce and publish written or broadcast pieces on topics related to maritime security, emerging technology (AI, innovation, and emerging and clean tech), economic and energy security (supply chain management, critical minerals, and energy transitions), or another area demonstrably relevant to Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Under this program, supported by the Government of Canada, Media Fellows spend up to three weeks in Canada researching and preparing their stories for publication or broadcast upon their return to their home economy.