Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand set to visit India to strengthen strategic ties
First high-level Canadian visit post diplomatic thaw aims to boost trade, security cooperation, and bilateral engagement
Canada, Oct 11 : Foreign Minister Anita Anand is set to arrive in India on Sunday, marking a significant step in the ongoing efforts to reset bilateral relations and deepen strategic cooperation between the two nations. This will be Anand’s first visit to India since Prime Minister Mark Carney assumed office, signaling a renewed focus on collaboration following the diplomatic strains of 2023.
In Delhi, Anand will hold high-level discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Key topics on the agenda include trade diversification, energy transformation, and enhanced security cooperation, as both countries seek to expand their strategic partnership.
During her visit to Mumbai, Anand will meet Canadian and Indian business leaders driving investment, job creation, and economic growth. Bilateral trade between Canada and India reached USD 33.9 billion in 2024, with Canada exporting USD 5.3 billion in goods to India. The visit is expected to further strengthen commercial ties, particularly in agriculture, critical minerals, and the energy sector.
The visit also carries diplomatic significance, coming nearly two years after tensions arose following allegations by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding the 2023 assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. India had rejected the allegations as “absurd and motivated,” leading to the expulsion of diplomats and suspension of visa services. A thaw began during the 2025 G7 Summit in Canada, where Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Carney agreed to take “calibrated and constructive steps” to restore stability.
Following India, Minister Anand will continue her Indo-Pacific tour, visiting Singapore and China from October 12 to 17. In Singapore, she will meet Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations and discuss progress on a free trade agreement with ASEAN countries. In China, she will hold talks with Wang Yi, focusing on the Canada-China Strategic Partnership and key bilateral and global economic issues.
Minister Anand emphasized, “For Canada to thrive at home, we need strong, stable partnerships abroad. My focus is on building bridges and enhancing cooperation with India, Singapore, and China. Through Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, I aim to position Canada as a trusted and reliable partner in this dynamic region.”
With this visit, both nations aim to consolidate ties, expand economic engagement, and reinforce Canada-India strategic cooperation across trade, investment, and security domains.
