Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed Anita Anand that the visit will bolster “efforts to impart new momentum to the India–Canada bilateral partnership.
On her first official tour, Canada’s foreign minister is in India as both nations work to rebuild their strained relations following the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed Anita Anand that the visit will bolster “efforts to impart new momentum to the India–Canada bilateral partnership” when they met on Monday.
Following the meeting with Indian Finance Minister S. Jaishankar, Canadian Minister Anand announced a significant number of initiatives that would deepen the ties between both the nations. These initiatives as well include bilateral investments and trade talks.
The relations between India and Canada had suffered to a great extent in 2023 due to the diplomatic crisis. It was sparked in September 2023 when then-prime minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being connected to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian grounds.
Relations reached a low point when both nations suspended visa services and removed each other’s senior diplomats after India strongly refuted the accusations.
Nearly 1.7 million individuals of Indian descent reside in Canada, and both nations were closely monitoring the developments.
However, since Prime Minister Mark Carney assumed office this year, there have been indications of a thaw.
A bilateral meeting between Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took place in June during the G7 summit in Canada. The nations selected new high commissioners to each other’s nations two months later.
Additionally, in September, Anand and Jaishankar met in New York during the United Nations General Assembly session.
Bilateral ties between Canada and India have been improving over the past few months, Jaishankar stated on Monday.
“We observe a complementary economy in Canada. Another open society is depicted. “We observe diversity and pluralism,” he added, adding that this was “the foundation for a close, long-term, sustainable cooperative framework.”
“We are collectively committed to advancing this relationship now and in the long term, particularly when it comes to our mutual priorities in the Indo-Pacific,” Anand stated.
The Canada–India CEO Forum, which brings together executives from both nations to boost bilateral commerce and investment, will restart. The declaration is made as Delhi struggles with the impact of US President Donald Trump’s high 50% tariff on Indian imports.
Additionally, Anand will meet with Piyush Goyal, India’s Commerce Minister, to talk about strengthening trade relations. She will travel to Mumbai to discuss investments and economic prospects with corporate executives.
As part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to increase the nation’s involvement in the area, she will next visit China and Singapore.
