Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand visits India, signals eagerness to normalise ties post-Trudeau era

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand arrived in New Delhi on 13 October 2025 for her first official bilateral visit to India, a clear sign of Ottawa's eagerness to normalise ties after the nadir under Justin Trudeau's tenure, marked by diplomatic expulsions and stalled trade talks. 

The two-day trip, Anand's inaugural in the role since May, includes meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, aiming to "build on positive momentum" through revitalised mechanisms on trade, energy and security. 

Anand, of Indian descent and a symbol of Canada's diverse cabinet under new PM Mark Carney, struck a chord with interlocutors by emphasising shared heritage and "enduring people-to-people ties." 

This outreach, following Carney-Modi talks at the June G7 Summit, underscores Canada's proactive reset amid global realignments, with two-way trade targeted at $50 billion by 2030.

Anand's arrival and warm welcome

Anand landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport on 13 October, greeted by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal and a ceremonial guard, her Punjabi roots adding a personal touch to the diplomacy. Jaiswal tweeted: "A warm welcome to FM @AnitaAnandMP... This visit will revitalise our bilateral mechanisms, deepen economic cooperation." 

Anand, born to Punjabi immigrants, met Modi first, who hailed the engagement as "new momentum" for ties, discussing strategic cooperation in trade and defence. Her schedule—Jaishankar on 14 October, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on trade—focuses on frameworks for diversification, energy transition and security, as per Canadian readouts. 

Anand's Indo-Pacific tour, including Singapore and China, positions India as a "trusted partner," with her ethnicity fostering rapport—Modi quipped on shared "Bharatiya values." 

Eagerness to normalise post-Trudeau strains

Canada appears genuinely eager to normalise ties, with Anand's visit a calculated olive branch after Trudeau's 2023 allegations of Indian involvement in Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing plunged relations to lows—diplomatic expulsions, visa suspensions and trade halts. 

Carney, replacing Trudeau in March 2025, prioritised the reset at G7, appointing Anand—known for condemning anti-Indian hate—to signal trust. 

High Commissioners' returns in August and restarted dialogues reflect Ottawa's initiative, driven by economic needs—$33.9 billion trade in 2024, with India as Canada's 13th partner. 

Anand's chord-striking—praising "enduring diaspora links" and shared Indo-Pacific vision—eases past frictions, with Jaishankar noting "constructive steps." 

Analysts like Ashley Tellis affirm: "Carney's pragmatic cabinet, Anand's heritage, show real intent—beyond optics." 

Meetings with Modi and Jaishankar

Modi's 13 October huddle with Anand focused on "strategic partnership," covering trade diversification—easing Scotch and EV tariffs—and critical minerals for green energy. 

Anand echoed: "Opportunities unparalleled—let's seize them." 

Jaishankar's 14 October talks delved into security, with pacts on counter-terror and cybersecurity, building on high commissioner swaps. 

Goyal's commerce meet eyes $50 billion trade by 2030, with Anand pushing services liberalisation for Canadian firms. 

No visa relaxations, but diaspora ties—1.8 million Indian-Canadians—were highlighted. 

Trade and strategic cooperation agenda

Bilateral trade hit $33.9 billion in 2024, with Canada's $5.3 billion exports eyeing growth in agri and tech. 

Anand's visit advances the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), stalled since 2022, targeting zero tariffs on 90% goods. 

Security talks cover Indo-Pacific stability, with joint exercises and intel-sharing against China. 

Energy pacts focus on critical minerals—Canada's lithium for India's EVs—and renewables. 

Anand's Indo-Pacific Strategy aligns with India's Act East, fostering Quad synergies.

Reactions from leaders and analysts

Modi tweeted post-meet: "Productive talks with FM Anand—new chapter in friendship." 

Jaishankar added: "Revitalising ties—strategic depth ahead." 

Carney hailed: "Anand's visit builds bridges—grateful for India's partnership."

Opposition in India, like Congress's Jairam Ramesh, welcomed but cautioned: "Reset yes, but watch for Khalistan shadows." Analysts like C Raja Mohan affirm eagerness: "Carney's team, Anand's roots—genuine thaw, not just talk." 

On X, diaspora voices: "Anand's visit heals Trudeau wounds—family ties first." 

Bilateral reset?

Anand's chord-striking—invoking shared Punjabi heritage—eases past scars, with her condemnation of anti-Indian hate during Trudeau's time building trust. 

The visit, first FM-level since 2023, paves the way for Carney's potential 2026 Delhi trip. Amid US tariffs, it diversifies supply chains, eyeing $100 billion trade by 2040. 

As Anand departs on 14 October, the momentum signals Canada's firm commitment to normalisation, turning Trudeau's chill into Carney's warmth.