EAM Jaishankar Speaks with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Discusses Strengthening Bilateral Ties

New Delhi – External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held his first telephone conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, discussing ways to strengthen India-Canada relations and enhance economic cooperation.

Anand shared details of the discussion on Sunday via social media platform X, expressing appreciation for the conversation and optimism about future collaboration.

"Thank you, Minister @DrSJaishankar, for the productive discussion today on strengthening Canada-India ties, deepening our economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities. I look forward to continuing our work together," she posted.

Soon after, Jaishankar confirmed the call and extended his best wishes to Anand for her new role.
"Appreciate the telecon with FM @AnitaAnandMP of Canada. Discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. Wished her a very successful tenure," he wrote on X.

The call comes amid a renewed effort by Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, to rebuild and deepen ties with India. Canada is set to host the G7 Summit from June 15 to 17, a key event on the global diplomatic calendar.

Anita Anand, a 58-year-old Indian-origin lawmaker, was appointed Canada’s Foreign Minister earlier this month following a Cabinet reshuffle by PM Carney, whose Liberal Party won the recent parliamentary elections. Before this appointment, Anand served as Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and previously as Defence Minister. She succeeds Mélanie Joly, now the Minister of Industry.

On May 14, EAM Jaishankar had congratulated Anand on her appointment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended congratulations to Mark Carney on his election victory, highlighting the strong people-to-people ties between India and Canada and expressing hope for expanding bilateral opportunities.

Under PM Carney’s leadership, there is cautious optimism in New Delhi for a reset in relations that had sharply deteriorated during Justin Trudeau’s tenure. Tensions peaked after Trudeau’s public accusation of Indian involvement in the June 2023 killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil — a claim New Delhi firmly rejected as "absurd" and "politically motivated."

The diplomatic fallout led to both countries expelling senior envoys, suspending trade talks, and halting official visits. India has repeatedly criticized Canada for tolerating extremist elements and failing to act against threats to Indian diplomats.

During his campaign, Carney identified restoring ties with India as a priority, describing it as a "critically important relationship" for Canada, citing strong personal, economic, and strategic connections between the two nations.

With inputs from IANS