In a potential thaw in strained diplomatic relations, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and newly appointed Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand held their first telephonic conversation on Sunday, signaling a mutual intent to rebuild bilateral ties and explore new avenues for cooperation.
Anand, who took over Canada’s foreign affairs portfolio earlier this month under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s newly formed government, took to social media platform X to share the development.
“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.
Jaishankar reciprocated the sentiment in a post on X, confirming the call and expressing optimism for renewed engagement. “Appreciate the telecon with FM @AnitaAnandMP of Canada. Discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. Wished her a very successful tenure,” he wrote.
This exchange comes at a crucial time. Canada is preparing to host the G7 Summit from June 15 to 17, and Prime Minister Carney has emphasized India’s importance as a strategic and economic partner. His administration has made clear its intention to turn the page on a rocky chapter in Indo-Canadian relations.
Tensions had escalated sharply in 2023 when former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar—an allegation New Delhi strongly denied as baseless and politically motivated. The fallout led to the expulsion of diplomats on both sides, stalled trade negotiations, and a deep freeze in official engagements.
With the change in leadership, both countries now seem poised to reengage. PM Narendra Modi had earlier congratulated Carney on his electoral victory, highlighting the deep cultural and economic links between the two nations and expressing his hope for a more collaborative future.
Anand, a 58-year-old Indian-origin lawmaker and former Defence and Industry Minister, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Her appointment has been viewed as a strategic move to rebuild trust with India.
As the two foreign ministers break the ice, observers see this as a promising first step toward restoring dialogue, reviving trade talks, and reinforcing people-to-people connections between the two democracies.
