TOPIC: "Canada's and India's Strategic Interests in the Indo-Pacific"

Note about the video: This video has been reconstructed from the original recording. Please bear with slight anomalies. The Timestamps are in place.

Mr. Christian DesRoches, Head, Indo-Pacific Strategy Secretariat, Global Affairs Canada

As a Pacific nation, Canada recognizes that the Indo-Pacific region will play a significant and profound role in Canada’s future. Every issue that matters to Canadians—national security, economic prosperity, respect for international law and human rights, democratic values, public health, protecting our environment—will be shaped by the relationships that Canada has with countries throughout the Indo-Pacific. The Government’s new Indo-Pacific Strategy, unveiled in November 2022, presents a comprehensive road map to deepen Canada’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific over the next decade, increasing our contributions to regional peace and security, strengthening economic growth and resilience, enhancing our significant people-to-people ties, and supporting sustainable development across the region. A key element of the Strategy is an effort to deepen ties with key partners such as India, a country whose growing strategic, economic and demographic importance in the Indo-Pacific makes it a critical partner for Canada.

His Excellency Sanjay Kumar Verma, High Commissioner of India to Canada:

H.E. High Commissioner Verma will touch upon India's perspectives in influencing peace, security, rule of law and connectivity in the Indo-Pacific region. H.E. High Commissioner Verma will also present India's key objectives in the Indo-Pacific.

Moderator: Dr. Nipa Banerjee

Nipa Banerjee served 34 years in the Canadian International Development Agency, (CIDA) now amalgamated with Global Affairs Canada (GAC). She was a professor at University of Ottawa’s School of International Development (2007–2017) and is currently a Senior Fellow, Principal Researcher, and Adjunct Professor at the university. She has worked in Canada’s Afghanistan embassy as head of Canada’s aid program and as a researcher tracking Canada’s reconstruction and stabilization interventions in Afghanistan. She visits Afghanistan several times a year.

About India Canada Friendship Circle
India Canada Friendship Circle (ICFC), a non-profit Canadian organization, operating in Ottawa since 2004 and conducting lectures by prominent speakers, encourages dialogue on India and Canada in a non-religious, non-partisan, and harmonious environment. The words "friendship" and "circle" in its name, convey an explicit desire to forge and maintain close ties among Canadians with an interest in India.

ICFC's mission is to promote learning and an intercultural relationship between India and Canada in the areas of philosophy, history, literature, economy, diplomacy, the arts and sciences through prominent speakers.

ICFC Events Roster
(since inception in 2004)
NOTE: Select the year tab and click the event date to open the event page

Video Recordings of the Events in 2022

2022-02-23 "Peace with All from Temples and Palaces to the Taj Mahal" (India's Syncretic Wonders)
Moderator: Dr. Karim H. Karim
Speakers: Dr. Catherine Asher and Dr. Supriya Gandhi

2022-06-15 Topic: "Reconciliation, People and Place - the Environment"


Speaker: Prof. Bob Watts

Video Recordings of the Events in 2021

2021-10-06 Sport as a Cultural Unifier
Speakers: Mr. Anshuman Gaur, Mr. Richard Provencher, Dr. Courtney Szto and Dr. Steven Desjardins

2021-06-23 "Working Together" with Indigenous People

Speakers: Dr. Stephen Inglis and Dr. Sarah Pashagumskum

2021-05-26 TOPIC: Diversity in Canada & Systemic Racism?
Panelists: Ms. Mala Khanna & Mr. Richard Sharpe

2021 05 02 TOPIC: Diversity and Inclusion in Canada, India, and Globally
Panelists: H.E. Ajay Bisaria & Mr. Robin Higham

ICFC DISCLAIMER: The content of, and views expressed in, the lectures and audience discussions are entirely those of the speakers and individual members of the audience. ICFC has no responsibility or liability for any views expressed and comments made and interpretations thereof.

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