Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, October 12, beginning a two-day mission aimed at resetting the tone of India–Canada relations after years of diplomatic friction. Welcomed by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, Anand’s visit seeks to renew dialogue, promote trade, and strengthen cooperation in critical areas like energy and security.
On Monday, Anand will meet India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss frameworks for trade diversification and strategic collaboration. According to officials, the talks will also focus on joint efforts to support investment, economic growth, and innovation across both countries.
Following her engagements in Delhi, Anand is set to travel to Mumbai on Tuesday, where she will meet representatives from Canadian and Indian firms. The discussions will center on fostering business partnerships, creating jobs, and unlocking investment potential.
In a statement before her trip, Anand emphasized that “strong partnerships abroad ensure strength at home.” She added that her visit aligns with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, positioning Canada as a reliable and trusted partner across Asia’s growing economies, including India, Singapore, and China.
The visit comes after a turbulent period in bilateral relations during former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s tenure. In 2023, Trudeau alleged a possible link between Indian officials and the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—claims that New Delhi dismissed as “baseless” and “politically motivated.” The dispute triggered a diplomatic standoff, with both nations expelling senior envoys.
Since Trudeau’s departure, Prime Minister Mark Carney has worked to rebuild relations. His administration invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit in Alberta and reopened diplomatic dialogue through new appointments and intelligence cooperation initiatives.
Recent security discussions between India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin further strengthened this renewed engagement, particularly in counter-terrorism and cross-border crime prevention.
Economic ties are also back on track. India and Canada recently resumed talks for an interim trade agreement after a two-year pause. Bilateral trade in goods reached $8.6 billion in FY25, while total trade in goods and services stood at $30.9 billion in 2024 — reflecting steady potential for collaboration as both nations move toward a new era of partnership.
