Delhi, 12 October (H.S.): Canada’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Anita Anand arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, marking the beginning of her three-nation Asia tour that also includes Singapore and China. Her visit has revived hopes of improving India–Canada relations, which had soured over the past two years.

During her stay in India, Anand is scheduled to hold comprehensive discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, focusing on strengthening strategic cooperation in trade, energy, and security. She is also expected to explore ways to deepen economic engagement and rebuild diplomatic trust between the two countries.

Later in the week, the Canadian minister will visit Mumbai to meet business leaders and executives from Indian and Canadian companies working on investment, job creation, and economic partnerships. Her outreach aims to expand commercial ties and generate new opportunities for bilateral collaboration.

Hailing from a family of Indian immigrants and a follower of Hinduism, Anita Anand studied at the University of Oxford and has previously served as Canada’s Defence and Transport Minister. She recently assumed office as Foreign Minister in the new cabinet of Prime Minister Mark Carney, following his government’s formation earlier this month.

Relations between India and Canada deteriorated sharply in September 2023 after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar—allegations that New Delhi firmly rejected as baseless.

The episode led to diplomatic expulsions on both sides. However, with Trudeau out of power and a new government in Ottawa, optimism has grown for a thaw in bilateral relations and a possible reset of diplomatic engagement.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar