I call this meeting to order.
Colleagues and friends, welcome to meeting number 30 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, February 12, 2026, the committee is meeting on the review of Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format. Members are attending in person and also remotely using the Zoom application.
I would now like to welcome our witnesses.
From the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, we have Weldon Epp, assistant deputy minister, Indo-Pacific; Valérie Samaan, director general, Indo-Pacific strategy planning, policy and operations; Darren Smith, executive director, Indo-Pacific trade policy division; and Aly-Khan Rajani, director, Indo-Pacific regional coordination, policy and planning division. From the Canadian Armed Forces, we have Colonel Jérome Patry, J35 expeditionary, future operations, Canadian joint operations command. From the Department of National Defence, we have we have Inderjit Nijjar, deputy director general, international security policy.
Up to five minutes will be given for opening remarks, after which we will proceed with rounds of questions from members of the committee.
I now invite Mr. Epp to make an opening statement.
Welcome.