However, she did not say whether Canada is officially trying to join the tripartite agreement known as AUKUS, as reported in a Globe and Mail article citing unidentified sources.

“Canada is keen to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other advanced technologies,” she told a news conference.

AUKUS was formed in September 2021 as a pact that required the US and UK to help Australia develop a fleet of nuclear submarines in response to growing concerns about China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

The three countries also agreed to “enhance our joint capabilities and interoperability,” focusing on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and underwater capabilities.

The governments of New Zealand and Canada – the countries that together with AUKUS members form an information-sharing alliance called “Five Eyes” – were asked that they had not been invited to join the group.

New Zealand, which does not have nuclear weapons, said this is because it has no interest in nuclear submarines, the core of the deal.

The Canadian government has not publicly stated whether it received an offer to join and why.

In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada was not interested in nuclear submarines, while Minister Anand repeatedly reiterated the close ties between the Five Eyes countries.

“We have great capabilities in this area and are always looking for ways to support and work with our closest allies,” she said Monday, adding that work with her Five Eyes allies in “multiple areas” continues .

Last fall, a senior official told the Canada-China Relations Committee that the government had expressed an interest in working with AUKUS.

Last fall, Deputy Minister for Asia-Pacific at the Department for Global Affairs, Paul Thoppil, testified before the Parliamentary Committee on Canada-China Relations: “We have informed Australia of our interest in certain aspects of the working groups under this agreement .” According to him, “Australia was in favor”.

However, it is unclear whether the UK or the US are also interested.

“It’s one thing we’ve asked about, but it’s another thing that these three nations agree,” said Margaret McCuaig-Johnston, a member of the China Strategic Risks Institute Advisory Board, which has urged Canada to take action since the Foundation of the China Strategic Risks Institute Agreement to participate in AUKUS.

“It would give us a seat in the room, if not at the decision table,” she said.

The Liberal government recently unveiled its Indo-Pacific strategy, which includes an increased military presence in the region and efforts to build friendships with like-minded countries to create trade links that don’t go through China.

Ms McCuaig-Johnston, who was also a civil servant, argued that Canadian companies and researchers had a lot to offer, particularly in the fields of nuclear technology, underwater technology and artificial intelligence.