In a bid to inject fresh momentum into bilateral relations, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Canada’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Anita Anand held a telephone conversation on Sunday to explore avenues for deepening cooperation across a range of strategic and economic fronts.
Taking to X shortly after their discussion, Minister Jaishankar welcomed the opportunity to engage with his Canadian counterpart, writing, “Appreciate the telecon with FM Anita Anand of Canada. Discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. Wished her a very successful tenure.”
Anand, who assumed the foreign affairs portfolio as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s freshly announced 38-member cabinet, reciprocated the sentiment on the same platform. She expressed her thanks for the dialogue and underlined her commitment to advancing shared priorities. “Thank you, Minister S. Jaishankar, 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.
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. pic.twitter.com/GZqgANEIVi
— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) May 25, 2025
Their conversation comes against a backdrop of recent tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa, sparked earlier this year by allegations made by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Mr. Trudeau had suggested possible Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar—a claim the Indian government vehemently rejected as baseless and malicious.
Prior to Sunday’s call, Minister Jaishankar had also extended his congratulations to Anand following her appointment on May 14, underscoring New Delhi’s eagerness to move forward. His message came just one day after Prime Minister Carney unveiled his new Cabinet on May 13. In his announcement, Carney framed his administration’s priorities as forging robust economic and security ties with the United States, addressing the rising cost of living, and fortifying Canada’s position as the strongest economy within the G7.
With both ministers signalling a clear intent to overcome past hurdles, observers anticipate a series of high-level exchanges and potential trade and technology partnerships to follow. As the world’s two largest democracies prepare to collaborate more closely, the tone set by Jaishankar and Anand suggests that the next chapter of India-Canada relations may be defined by pragmatic engagement and mutual growth.
