Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand attends meetings in New York on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. (The Canadian Press)
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi during her three-day visit to India, marking an important step toward rebuilding relations between the two nations. The meeting came after two years of strained diplomatic ties that followed serious political tensions.
Anand shared a photo on social media showing her meeting with Modi. She said their discussion focused on maintaining the positive momentum created earlier this summer, when Modi met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the G7 summit in Alberta.
New Trade Plan Announced
Following her meeting with Modi, Anand issued a joint statement with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The two ministers announced a new plan to restart bilateral trade talks and strengthen economic cooperation.
The statement said both sides agreed to “take calibrated measures to restore stability in the relationship.” Anand and Jaishankar emphasized that a strong and reliable partnership between Canada and India is vital during a time of global uncertainty and shifting geopolitical tensions.
Bilateral trade talks between the two nations began in 2010 but have stalled several times. This new agreement aims to restart those discussions and set a clear direction for future collaboration.
Key Areas of Cooperation
The two ministers said the next steps include relaunching the Canada-India CEO Forum early next year. The forum will bring together business leaders from both countries to explore investments and cooperation in clean technology, infrastructure, agriculture, and digital innovation.
Other areas of focus include partnerships in artificial intelligence, renewed talks on energy cooperation, and joint efforts to address climate change. The ministers also agreed to expand collaboration on broader global challenges such as sustainability, technology development, and security.
Signs of Diplomatic Recovery
This meeting, along with earlier talks between Modi and Carney at the G7, signals a clear thaw in the once-frozen relations between Ottawa and New Delhi.
Tensions rose sharply in 2023 after Canada accused India of involvement in the killing of a Sikh activist near Vancouver. The allegations strained diplomatic ties, and both countries expelled diplomats. However, earlier this year, both nations began taking steps to rebuild communication and restore trust.
The ice started to break in June when Carney invited Modi to the G7 summit in Alberta. Both leaders agreed to return their top diplomats and renew dialogue on key issues.
Trade Ministers Join Efforts
During Anand’s visit, Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal also met Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. Goyal described their discussion as “productive,” highlighting cooperation in clean energy, agriculture, and critical minerals.
Sidhu said the partnership between both countries should reflect mutual respect and trust. Anand is scheduled to meet more business leaders in Mumbai before addressing the media in New Delhi on Tuesday.
