EAM Jaishankar discusses strengthening India-Canada ties with Canadian counterpart Anita Anand

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday had a telephonic conversation with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand and the two leaders discussed strengthening the relationship between the two countries. Indo-Canadian Anand, 58, was appointed as Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs earlier this month in a Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney almost two weeks after his Liberal Party won the federal elections.

"Appreciate the telecon with FM @AnitaAnandMP of Canada. Discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. Wished her a very successful tenure," Jaishankar posted on X.



"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," Anand said on X.


On May 14, Jaishankar congratulated Indo-Canadian lawmaker Anita Anand on her appointment as Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Anand was the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry before the Canada elections and in the past has served in several roles, including defence minister. She replaced Melanie Joly, who is now the Minister of Industry.

The ties between India and Canada were severely hit following Trudeau's allegations in September 2023 of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

New Delhi strongly rejected Trudeau's charges as "absurd".

The relations nose-dived further in the second half of the last year after Ottawa linked several Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, to the murder of Nijjar.

In October last, India withdrew Verma and five other diplomats. India also expelled an equal number of Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.

In the last few months, the security officials of India and Canada resumed contacts and both sides were looking at the possibility of appointing new high commissioners.

The exit of Trudeau was seen as an opportunity to improve bilateral ties.

India had accused Trudeau's government of allowing pro-Khalistani elements to operate from Canadian soil.

After Trudeau's exit, New Delhi said it hoped to rebuild ties with Canada based on "mutual trust and sensitivity".

"The downturn in India-Canada relations was caused by the license that was given to the extremist and secessionist elements in that country," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said in March.