Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand to Visit India in October

Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand is set to visit India in October 2025 to meet her counterpart, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, according to NDTV. The announcement follows a series of diplomatic engagements that suggest a cautious but promising thaw in India-Canada relations, which soured in 2023 over allegations of India’s involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and a terrorist designated by India’s National Investigation Agency.

Jaishankar, in a post on his X profile, expressed appreciation for a recent phone call with Anand, during which the two discussed prospects for strengthening bilateral ties. He also extended his best wishes for Anand’s tenure as Canada’s Foreign Minister, a role she assumed in May 2025 when Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his 38-member cabinet. Jaishankar had previously congratulated Anand upon her appointment, signaling an early intent to rebuild bridges.

The upcoming meeting builds on recent high-level interactions. In June 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Carney on the sidelines of the G7 summit, marking a pivotal moment in redefining the relationship between the two nations. Further progress was evident in early September when the high commissions of both countries resumed operations in their respective capitals, a concrete step toward normalization after a period of diplomatic friction.

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Adding to the momentum, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met his Canadian counterpart, Nathalie G. Drouin, last week as part of regular bilateral security dialogues, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs. The discussions focused on advancing cooperation in counter-terrorism, tackling transnational organized crime, and enhancing intelligence exchanges. Both sides acknowledged a growing momentum to restore trust and collaboration at the highest levels of political leadership.

The diplomatic strain began in 2023 when then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India vehemently denied the allegations, labeling them as malicious and baseless. The fallout led to a significant chill in relations, with diplomatic activities scaled back. Anand’s upcoming visit to New Delhi, the first such strategic engagement since the controversy, underscores a mutual desire to move past the tensions and focus on shared interests.

While the exact dates of Anand’s visit are yet to be finalized, the meeting is expected to address key areas of cooperation, including trade, security, and cultural ties, as both nations seek to rebuild a partnership that has been tested but shows signs of recovery. For India and Canada, this visit could mark a turning point in restoring a constructive and forward-looking relationship.

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