Canadian Foreign Minister Visits India to Reset Strained Diplomatic Ties
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand has arrived in New Delhi for high-level talks aimed at mending bilateral relations that soured dramatically over the past two years. Anand is scheduled to meet with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. The visit is focused on establishing a framework for strategic cooperation on trade, energy, and security, representing a significant step towards normalizing ties after a period of deep diplomatic friction between the two nations.
Unpacked:
Tensions escalated after former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Khalistani leader. This led to reciprocal expulsions of diplomats and a freeze in bilateral relations, with both countries accusing each other of interference and supporting extremist groups.
The election of Prime Minister Mark Carney in Canada, who advocates for diversified trade and renewed engagement with India, created an opening. India welcomed Carney’s leadership, and both sides have since taken incremental steps, including high-level meetings and the reinstatement of diplomatic staff, to re-engage diplomatically.
Canada and India are focusing on strategic cooperation in trade, energy, security, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, liquefied natural gas, and food security. They have also reactivated joint working groups and dialogues in these sectors to foster collaboration and rebuild mutual trust.
Major unresolved issues include Canada’s concerns about Indian interference and extremist activities linked to the Khalistan movement within Canada, and India’s view that Canada tolerates anti-India activism. Deep-seated mistrust and sensitivities regarding sovereignty and diaspora politics remain significant obstacles despite recent diplomatic progress.