Canada’s FM Anita Anand Meets Jaishankar to Kickstart a New Phase in India-Canada Relations
Canada and India move to rebuild ties through trade and security talks.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand’s inaugural visit to India marks a pivotal moment in revitalizing India-Canada relations, following a period of strained ties. Arriving in New Delhi on Sunday, Anand is set to hold high-level discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal today, to establish a framework for strategic cooperation in trade, energy, and security.
Anand, who assumed the role of Canada’s Foreign Minister in May 2025, aims to build on the positive momentum in bilateral relations. The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, emphasized the visit’s significance, stating on X, “This visit will help build on the positive momentum in India-Canada relations by revitalising our bilateral mechanisms, deepening economic cooperation, and further strengthening the enduring people-to-people ties that anchor our partnership.”
The discussions with Jaishankar are expected to focus on fostering strategic collaboration, including trade diversification, energy transformation, and enhanced security cooperation. Anand’s meeting with Goyal will explore avenues to strengthen two-way trade, a key pillar of the revitalized partnership. A Canadian government statement highlighted that the visit aims to advance shared priorities, including investment and job creation.
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Beyond New Delhi, Anand will travel to Mumbai to engage with Canadian and Indian businesses, promoting economic opportunities and reinforcing commercial ties. The visit follows recent high-level engagements, including talks between Canada’s National Security Advisor Nathalie Drouin and India’s Ajit Doval, which paved the way for Canada’s designation of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity in September 2025.
The renewed warmth in India-Canada relations stems from productive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in June 2025. This follows a low point in 2023, when allegations by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding India’s alleged involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar strained diplomatic ties. India dismissed the claims as “absurd,” leading to the recall of diplomats by both nations. However, Carney’s leadership and the reinstatement of high commissioners in both capitals have set the stage for reconciliation.
As Anand continues her trip to Singapore and China, her visit to India underscores a commitment to rebuilding trust and advancing mutual interests. With both nations reviving key bilateral mechanisms, the stage is set for a new era of cooperation, promising enhanced economic and strategic ties.
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