I'd like to call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 92 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. Today’s meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. Therefore, members are attending in person in the room as well as through the Zoom application.
I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of the members and witnesses.
Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name. You may speak in the official language of your choice. Interpretation services are available. Although this room is equipped with a powerful audio system, feedback events can occur. These can be extremely harmful to interpreters and cause serious injuries. The most common cause of sound feedback is an earpiece worn too close to a microphone.
I remind you that all comments should be made through the chair. With regard to a speaking list, the committee clerk and I will do our best to maintain a consolidated order of speaking for all members, whether they are participating virtually or in person.
Today we have our briefing on diplomatic relations between India and Canada.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee will proceed to the briefing on diplomatic relations between these two countries, an issue that is obviously of great concern to very many Canadians.
I'd like to welcome our witnesses for today. From the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, we are grateful to have two senior officials. We have Mr. Weldon Epp, who is assistant deputy minister for the Indo-Pacific region. We also have Ms. Marie-Louise Hannan, who is the director general for the South Asia bureau.
Welcome very much. We're grateful that you made the time to appear before us.
Please do bear in mind that when you only have 20 or 30 seconds remaining, whether it's in your opening remarks or when you're responding to questions by the members, I will hold this up. That means to please wrap it up as soon as possible.
With all that explained, we will start with Mr. Epp.
Mr. Epp, you have five minutes for your opening remarks. Thank you.