In what is being seen as a significant step towards mending strained diplomatic ties, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday held a telephone conversation with Canada’s newly appointed Foreign Minister, Anita Anand Anita A — marking the first high-level political exchange between the two countries since Mark Carney assumed office as the Canadian Prime Minister.
The dialogue primarily centred on enhancing economic cooperation and progressing shared priorities. The conversation comes amid cautious optimism in New Delhi over a potential diplomatic reset following the exit of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, under whom relations between India and Canada had sharply deteriorated.
“Discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. Wished her a very successful tenure,” Jaishankar wrote on X, formerly Twitter, shortly after the call.
Anand, who was sworn in earlier this month, also described the discussion as constructive.
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“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 on X.
Anand, 58, is of Indian origin and a senior member of Canada’s Liberal Party. She previously served as Defence Minister and is known for taking her oath of office with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita — a gesture she repeated during her latest Cabinet appointment.
Diplomatic ties between the two nations hit a nadir in September 2023 when Trudeau accused Indian agents of being “potentially” involved in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. India dismissed the allegation as “absurd and motivated”, asserting that Canada had become a safe haven for pro-Khalistan elements.
The row intensified further when Ottawa linked several Indian diplomats, including then-High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, to Nijjar’s murder. In response, India withdrew Verma and five other diplomats from Canada in October and expelled an equivalent number of Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.
Despite the diplomatic chill that followed, there have been discreet efforts to restore backchannel communication. In recent months, security officials from both sides have resumed contact, and discussions are currently under way to appoint new high commissioners in Ottawa and New Delhi.
Following Trudeau’s departure, India expressed a willingness to re-engage with Canada on the basis of “mutual trust and sensitivity”. Sunday’s exchange between Jaishankar and Anand is being regarded by diplomatic observers as the first meaningful political overture to rebuild a functional bilateral relationship.
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