In the News

India’s new top envoy to be sworn in today as signs emerge of a thaw in relations

CTV News, September 24, 2025

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

Excerpt: “We’re getting signals from India that they are very much interested in rebuilding [their] relationship," with Canada, Nadjibulla notes for CTV News. 

“It’s going to take time to rebuild mutual trust. It’s going to take time to find a way to work through the difficult national security concerns."

Global Affairs Canada deputy minister David Morrisions' pre-foreign office consultation with Indian senior officials shows development in the Canada-India relationship and the rebuilding of a dialogue "mechanism...between the foreign ministries, which," according to Nadjibulla, "hasn’t been active since the political crisis."

ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement Needed To Bolster trade -- Canadian Think Tank

Bernama (Malaysian National News Agency), September 24, 2025

Featuring: President & CEO, APF Canada, Jeff Nankivell

Excerpt: Nankivell discusses the global pressure to finalize an ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement to stabilize supply chains and ensure economic diversification in the wake of U.S. tariff policies. 

"Canada has thrived by being part of an integrated North American economy. But when you rely too heavily on one partner, you expose yourself to risk, and Canada feels that risk more than ever... That's why we need to look at Southeast Asia and beyond.

"ASEAN economies have real needs that Canada is well placed to meet."

PCG Vancouver Attends “Canada-ASEAN Cooperation at a Turning Point” Forum organized by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada

Philippine Canadian Inquirer, September 19, 2025

Featuring: APF Canada

Excerpt: "Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin attended a forum organized by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada titled Canada-ASEAN Cooperation at a Turning Point last 15 September 2025.

"The Philippines, a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will assume the chairmanship of the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026. As chair, the Philippines will continue to forge catalyzing and transforming initiatives that will provide stability to the ASEAN community and promote broader and deeper engagement with its external partners such as Canada."

B.C. drawing billions as Indo-Pacific ramps up minerals trade

BIV, September 17, 2025

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

Excerpt: BIV covered APF Canada's September 4th event focused on Canada's critical minerals strategy in Asia.

"In today’s world, where we have intensified geopolitical competition and supply chain disturbances, the critical minerals supply chain is emerging as an area where Canada can play an important role," noted Nadjibulla. "B.C. is kind of the mining capital of Canada—a lot of the companies are headquartered here in Vancouver.

"Critical minerals is now at the forefront of the emerging geopolitical tensions between China and the U.S... We need to have prioritization and clear, achievable targets, which may take five to 10 years to get there, but we have to start now.”

How Canada Can Meet the China Challenge in Critical Minerals

Policy Magazine, September 16, 2025

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada, Vina Nadjibulla; Senior Fellow, APF Canada, Pascale Massot

Excerpt: Following up on APF Canada's September 4, 2025, event, Nadjibulla and Massot discuss Canada's global critical mineral strategy in an op-ed for Policy Magazine.

"Canada’s critical minerals strategy needs to move past broad ambition to systematic, prioritized, and partnership-focused action.

"We need an approach that right-sizes the China challenge, adjusts to the evolving environment south of the border, embeds within a national industrial strategy, and updates our 2022 critical minerals strategy with targeted tools and deeper partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, Europe, North America, and beyond. 

"...For Canada to matter, our strategy has to move with the times."

Carmichael: Doug Ford’s rah-rah routine masks an inconvenient truth

The Logic, September 10, 2025

Featuring: Founder and CEO of Nextrade Group, Kati Suominen, and Distinguished Fellow, APF Canada, Danielle Goldfarb

Excerpt: "It is really important to pay attention to where there are new opportunities" in Canadian service trade sectors, notes Goldfarb. The Logic points to two research papers penned by Goldfarb, including her joint report on "Canada's Under-the-Radar Trade Opportunity: Digital and AI-Enabled Trade" with Kati Suominen, to show how the service trade is being under recognized and should be re-prioritized in Doug Ford's economic strategy.

Re-engaging India a strategic move in a time of global flux

Hill Times, September 8, 2025

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

Excerpt: In a new op-ed for the Hill Times, Nadjibulla makes the case for Canada's re-engaging with India amidst global turbulence, including China's new world order ambitions and the Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs. She posits that Canada and India should seek a new "path forward... one that not only supports their national interests, but also contributes to the stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific."

"The next phase of re-engagement should be focused and practical. Reviving stalled trade talks... would send a strong signal" towards deeper collaboration. 

While Nadjibulla notes this will not be a quick or easy process given the "serious concerns about foreign interference and national security" from both parties, "the rewards—in terms of economic resilience, security co-operation, and long-term diversification—are well worth the effort."

The CBC News Network Weekend panel takes a look at China's security summit and new alliances.

CBC News, September 7, 2025

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

Excerpt: Vina Nadjibulla joined CBC'S Network Weekend panel alongside other China policy scholars to discuss the recent Beijing military parade. 

She notes that China is taking advantage of the gaps in global partnerships created by the Trump Administration to position itself as diplomatically "capable" and with robust "military power[s]." 

"For those of us in Canada and Europe... that have come to rely on a world largely shaped by the United States and liberal democracies" she says this global shift towards Chinese leadership "is not good news."

"What we are seeing is a shift to realpolitik, might makes right, the idea that big powers get to have more say and do things like invade their neighbours.... but of course China doesn't use that language... [China] has a rhetoric that is quite different from it's actions and that's why we have to be strategic and smart on how we interpret these things and react to them."

China's Xi meets North Korea's Kim Jong Un after military show of force | East Asia Tonight (Sep 4)

CNA, September 4, 2025

Featuring: Senior Research Scholar, Northeast Asia, Sun Ryung Park

Excerpt: Speaking with CNA about the future leadership of North Korea, Sun points out that the public appearances of Kim Jong Un's daughter , Ju Ae, are  "carefully choreographed."

She notes that Ju Ae's public debut at a nuclear missile launch inherently "ties her to country's nuclear program" and signals Kim Jong Un's legacy in national leadership through his successor, regardless of gender. 

Despite these signals, Ju Ae's potential leadership doesn't necessitate a shifting role for women in North Korean society. North Korea is still one of the "most patriarchal societies in the world and certainly one of the most isolated in the world." 

China's lavish military parade could signal an attempted shift in world order

CBC News, September 4, 2025

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

Excerpt: China's military parade on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 displays a heavily choreographed set of events that Nadjibulla says are meant to position China at the centre of an "alternative world order" that counters the U.S.

"I think China is now again taking advantage of the fact that the U.S. is destroying its own relationships with its allies.

"...The message was China is not afraid of violence, that China is independent, and basically the choice is for the U.S. to choose war or peace — but China is prepared to deal with either eventuality because it's strong."

India, Canada continue to rebuild ties after political reset

Hindustan Times, September 2, 2025

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

Excerpt: Nadjibulla says the re-appointment of high commissioners between Canada and India is a "welcome development [and] a significant step towards rebuilding mutual trust." The UN General Assembly in September, 2025 she says, will be another opportunity to see "potential maker[s]" of co-operation and relationship building between the two countries. 

The news organization also notes that APF Canada continues to work towards strengthening dialogue between Canada and India through track 1.5 dialogues in collaboration with the Anata Aspen Center in New Dehli. Learn more here.

A new global order?

CBC News - Power & Politics, September 2, 2025

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

Excerpt: "The stabalization of relations between India and China began about a year... we're seeing a tactical reset... China and India are not going to be best friends... There's still a lot of mistrust between those countries but what prime minister Modi is he is doubling down on the policy of strategic autonomy, basically saying to Preisdent Trump 'India is not going to be cornered'"

Nadjibulla points out that while President Trump's policies may be disrupting the status quo of India as a balancer to China, "India is still deepening relations with Japan, Australia, and Europe.... [India] still doesn't trust China and doesn't want to be overly reliant on Russia."

CBC News Network's Natasha Fatah speaks with Vina Nadjibulla about the China Summit

CBC News, September 1, 2025

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

Excerpt: Nadjibulla tells CBC's Natasha Fatah that the attendance of India's prime minister Modi and Russia's President Putin at the Shanghai Summit represents a "significant diplomatic win for China." 

She notes that "President Trump has created an opportunity and china is steeping into that opportunity and vacuum to present itself as a predictable, trustworthy partner at a time when there is so much chaos being unleashed by the White House.... it provides a hug symbolic win." 

But when it comes to actually partnerships and policy outcomes Nadjibulla says "we'll have to wait and see."

Thailand plunged into political uncertainty

La Presse, August 30,  2025

Featuring: Advisor, Research & Communications (Quebec), APF Canada, Alexandre Veilleux

Excerpt: The Thailand Constitutional Court announced the dismissal of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on grounds that she breached her ethical obligations by attempting to defuse a conflict with Cambodia.

Veilleux says that Thailand's "court's initiative reflects past decisions where the notion of ethics has been used 'elastically' to ultimately defend the interests of the military and the monarchy, which are very influential in the country."

Minister Anand announces appointment of Canada's High Commissioner to India

CTV News, August 28 2025

Featuring: President & CEO, APF Canada, Jeff Nankivell

Excerpt: "It's an important step . . . but it shows that the two governments are confident that they can manage the tensions that exist between them . . . and they can continue on a step-by-step path."

In the face of criticism from Canadian Sikh activists opposed to Canada's re-engagement with India, Nankivell points out that "the government in Ottawa has made the argument that in order to navigate through this difficult situation . . . you need to have the restoration of those high-level contacts in order to carry on those conversations" to bring justice and accountability regarding the claims against India of foreign interference. 

Canada, India name new envoys as tensions between 2 countries thaw

CBC News , August 28, 2025

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

Excerpt: "It's a positive step towards rebuilding trust as well as re-engaging more fully with India... It builds on the momentum that was set at the G7 meeting.

"For both Canada and India we find ourselves in a situation where we have to diversify our economic and security relationships....[They both] find themselves in a world that is changing and in which they need new partnerships. 

While there is lot's more to do to rebuild the relationship, such as "progression on the economic relationship in particular.... progression towards the Free Trade discussions.... and more high-level visits," Nadjibulla stresses that the UN General Assembly may be the next key meeting to watch for signs for relationship building between Carney and Modi. 

India and Canada have named new High Commissioners to each other's capitals as they restore relations

Al Jazeera, August 28, 2025

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

Excerpt: Nadjibulla tells Al Jazeera that Canada and India may still "have a long road ahead in rebuilding mutual trust and in addressing serious concerns" from both nations, but "having top diplomats in each other's countries is an important first step." 

Reactions regarding the news on the high commissioners appointments from the Indo-Pacific diaspora in Canada have been mixed with some advocating for "justice and accountability" first while others  "are very much welcoming this development." She stresses that is "important for all Canadians to see accountability and justice, but at the same time it's good to have dialogue and diplomats engage in their work."

With economic diversification from the U.S. market top of mind for both Canada and India, the drive to "repair the relationship" and develop a sustained partnership is promising. 

Canada, India name new high commissioners as both countries restore relations

CTV News, August 28, 2025

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

Excerpt: In June Canada and India agreed to restore their top diplomats during the G7 summit in Alberta.

"The two sides moved as quickly as they could in naming of the appointments,” notes Nadjibulla. “This shows momentum in the reset in the relationship... There needs to be a lot of rebuilding of trust, and building of relationships agains."

She goes on to highlight that both nations have a vested interest in sustaining that momentum with a gradual aim of returning to diplomatic normalcy, step by step.

Canada needs ‘eyes wide open’ approach to China amid diversification efforts, say observers

The Hill Times, August 27, 2025

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

Excerpt: "The world has changed. The U.S. leadership of the Western collective response to China’s threat is no longer reliable." 

When it comes to trade negotiations with China, Nadjibulla says that Canada "ha[s] to be really clear about our expectations. This is not a return to some kind of re-engagement pre-2018. This is not an invitation to deepen trade relations with China...There has to be recognition that over reliance on either China or the U.S. presents risks.

...Trade is important. Commercial relations with China are important. But derisking has to continue... China will use coercion and there will be moments...where we disagree with China. And when China disagrees, it applies this kind of leverage." 

Wait, We’re Also in a Trade War with China?

The Backbench -  A Canadaland Politics Podcast, August 26, 2025

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

Excerpt: Assessing the recent canola tariffs impost by China, Nadjbulla claims that "China has systematically undermined other countries ability to compete in [high tech sectors like EVs] by essentially by overproducing... selling below market prices...and suppressing domestic consumption... The global trading order has benefitted China greatly, but China hasn't played by the rules.

"When a country does something China doesn't like they retaliate and they retaliate strategically and in a way that will hurt the most....This becomes then a fight between Ottawa, Quebec and Western Canada rather than a dispute between Canada and China."