Foreign Minister Anita Anand began her first official visit to India this week, signaling a steady thaw in relations between Ottawa and New Delhi. Anand met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and her counterpart S. Jaishankar in Delhi, with both sides pledging to rebuild trust and cooperation after last year’s sharp diplomatic tensions.
Prime Minister Modi said Anand’s visit would help “impart new momentum” to the partnership, while both nations described the meetings as constructive and forward-looking.
Bilateral ties between Canada and India hit a low in 2023 after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen. India rejected the allegations, leading both countries to suspend visa services and expel senior diplomats. The fallout affected political, economic, and community relations, particularly among Canada’s 1.7 million residents of Indian origin.
During their talks, Anand and Jaishankar announced that the two countries will restart ministerial-level discussions on trade and investment. A joint statement described the renewed engagement as an opportunity to “enhance economic cooperation and mitigate vulnerabilities arising from shifting global alliances.”
The shift follows a period of cautious rebuilding since Mark Carney became Canada’s Prime Minister earlier this year. In June, Carney and Modi met on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, and new high commissioners were later appointed in both capitals. Anand and Jaishankar also met informally during the UN General Assembly in New York in September, setting the stage for this latest round of dialogue.
Jaishankar said recent developments have put the relationship “on a steady path of progress,” emphasizing shared values between the two nations. “When we look at Canada, we see a complementary economy, another open society, diversity, and pluralism. This forms the basis for a close and sustainable partnership,” he said.
Anand echoed the sentiment, noting both countries’ “collective commitment to advancing this relationship, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.”
As part of the renewed engagement, both sides will revive the Canada–India CEO Forum to promote bilateral trade and private-sector collaboration. Anand is also scheduled to meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss expanding market access and investment opportunities.
Following her meetings in Delhi, Anand will travel to Mumbai to address business leaders before continuing to China and Singapore as part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy aimed at strengthening its regional partnerships.
