Good morning, everyone. I look forward to taking your questions in a moment, but just in advance, I’d like to address three points in particular; first, the evolving situation in the Middle East; secondly, I’ll touch briefly on our meetings in India; and then finally, the work ahead here over the next 48 hours in Australia. And I would like to maybe observe right at the start, already, thank Prime Minister Albanese and the Australian people for the warm welcome and affording us so much time for our important discussions.

OK, to turn to the situation in the Middle East, and I’ll begin in French.

Canada has long considered Iran to be the main source of instability and terror in the Middle East. Its regime and proxies have murdered many Canadian civilians and caused terrible suffering to millions of people in the Middle East and beyond. Despite over 20 years of diplomatic efforts and negotiations, Iran has still not dismantled its nuclear program or ended its enrichment activities. Canada has long supported the compelling need to neutralize this serious global threat. Canada stands with the Iranian people in their long and courageous fight against this oppressive regime. That is why we support efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to prevent its regime from further threatening international security and peace. Because Canada is actively engaged in the world as it is, not passively waiting for the world to be as we would like it. We are taking this position reluctantly, as the current conflict is another example of the failure of the international order. Despite decades of United Nations Security Council resolutions, the tireless work of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and a series of diplomatic resolutions and sanctions, Iran’s nuclear threat remains. And now the United States and Israel have acted without involving the United Nations or consulting their allies, including Canada.

Given the situation we are now in, facing a rapidly escalating conflict and increasing threats to civilian lives, Canada reaffirms that all belligerents are bound by international law. We condemn Iran’s strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure across the Middle East. We implore all of the parties, including the United States and Israel, to respect the rules of international engagement. Canada is calling for a rapid de-escalation of hostilities and is prepared to help achieve this goal. Resolving this crisis will require a commitment to a comprehensive political solution. Diplomatic engagement is essential to preventing the conflict from spreading and escalating. Innocent civilians must be protected, and all parties must commit to finding lasting agreements to end nuclear proliferation and terrorist extremism. Canada will continue to take this approach with like-minded countries and with those involved in the conflict.

Canada has long seen Iran as the principal source of instability and terror in the Middle East. The regime and its proxies have murdered hundreds, including Canadian civilians, and caused untold suffering for millions of people in the Middle East and beyond. Despite more than two decades of negotiations and diplomatic efforts, Iran has not dismantled its nuclear program, nor halted its enrichment activities. Canada has long supported the imperative of neutralizing this grave global threat. Canada stands with the Iranian people in their long and courageous struggle against the regime’s oppressive rule. Which is why we support efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security, because Canada is taking the world as it is, not passively waiting for a world we wish to be. We do, however, take this position with regret, because the current conflict is another example of the failure of the international order. Despite decades of UN Security Council resolutions, the tireless work of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the succession of sanctions and diplomatic frameworks, Iran’s nuclear threat remains.

And now, the United States and Israel have acted without engaging the United Nations or consulting allies, including Canada. So where to from here? With a rapidly spreading conflict and growing threats to civilian life, Canada reaffirms that international law binds all belligerents. We condemn the strikes carried out by Iran on civilians and civilian infrastructure across the Middle East. We implore all parties, including the United States and Israel, to respect the rules of international engagement. Canada calls for a rapid de-escalation of hostilities and is prepared to assist in achieving this goal. Resolution of this crisis will require commitment to a broader political solution, and diplomatic engagement is essential to avoid a wider and deeper conflict. Innocent civilians must be protected, and all parties must commit to finding enduring agreements to end both nuclear proliferation and terrorist extremism. Canada will pursue this approach with like-minded countries and participants in the conflict.

And now, briefly, allow me to return to our work in this region.

I have just come from Mumbai and New Delhi, where I met with Prime Minister Modi. Together, we are renewing and expanding the relationship between Canada and India.

As outlined in our joint statement, Canada and India are forging a new strategic partnership in energy, in talent, in innovation, and artificial intelligence. Foundational to this partnership is the new comprehensive economic partnership agreement, which we aim to conclude this year. We’re working fast and are already seeing strong results. In India, we secured over $5 billion in commercial agreements. Agreements that will deepen co-operation between Canadian and Indian businesses, attract investment into our communities, and help double two-way trade to over $70 billion by 2030. The government of India and Cameco’s $2.6-billion uranium supply agreement will support India’s civil nuclear energy program, and our shared commitment to clean, reliable, baseload power. We also launched the Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy, backed by 13 educational partnerships between our leading universities. During my visit, in addition to ministerial and official-level meetings, there has been more engagement between the Canadian and the Indian governments over the course of less than the past year, than in total over the past two decades. This is a reflection of the world we face today and the ambitions of both our nations to build and diversify.

As we meet with the major world powers, we are strengthening our ties with our closest partners. That is what has brought us to Australia for the first bilateral visit of a Canadian prime minister to this country in close to 20 years. To mark this important moment in Canada-Australia relations, I was honoured to accept an invitation to deliver a speech tomorrow to Parliament in Canberra.

In the coming two days, we will focus on forging new partnerships in investment, defence, security, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence. Australia is a natural partner for Canada, in these areas and many, many more. Areas that will deliver enormous benefits to both our peoples.