Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand Visits Delhi for Key Talks with Jaishankar

New Delhi: Canada’s Foreign Minister, Anita Anand, has landed in New Delhi, gearing up for crucial discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Their talks will center on building a strong framework for cooperation in trade, energy, and security.

This is Anand’s first official visit to India since taking office in May. She plans to meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to explore ways to elevate trade between the two nations.

According to the External Affairs Ministry, this visit aims to deepen ties that have shown promise in recent months. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned that this initiative will not just focus on economic matters but also strengthen the bonds between people from both countries.

After her meetings in New Delhi, Anand will travel to Mumbai to engage with Canadian and Indian businesses. The goal is to spark investment and create job opportunities in both nations.

Interestingly, Anand’s visit follows a significant meeting in late August between Canada’s National Security Advisor Nathalie Drouin and Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Their discussions hinted at improved relations, especially after Canada designated the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization, aiming to combat violence in certain communities.

The backdrop of this renewed engagement includes the tumultuous events earlier this year, when then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested a potential Indian link to the death of activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India labeled these accusations as “absurd” and responded with diplomatic expulsions. However, the recent parliamentary win by Liberal Party leader Mark Carney has laid the groundwork for repairing these strained relations.

As Anand continues her three-nation tour—also set for Singapore and China—she is focused on fortifying Canada’s relationships in Southeast Asia and celebrating 55 years of diplomatic ties with China. These trips underscore how crucial international dialogue and cooperation are in today’s interconnected world.

Recent statistics highlight the increasing trade between Canada and India, with total bilateral trade climbing to $8 billion in 2022. With discussions underway to enhance this further, both countries are optimistic about their economic prospects.

This evolving partnership is fueled by a shared vision for a stable and productive relationship, making diplomatic visits like Anand’s pivotal for future collaboration.

Learn more about Canada-India relations.

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ANITA ANAND, CANADIAN FM INDIA VISIT, CANADIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANITA ANAND ARRIVES IN DELHI