Canada's foreign minister is currently visiting India during her inaugural diplomatic trip as both nations implement further measures to restore relations that had plummeted after the killing of a Sikh separatist leader within Canada's borders.
Earlier this week, Anita Anand held discussions with India's premier, who expressed that her trip would enhance "efforts to provide new momentum to the India–Canada bilateral partnership".
She also convened with India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, following which both governments announced multiple steps to strengthen their relationship, including initiating ministerial-level discussions on bilateral trade and investment.
The visit represents a significant moment in bilateral relations following diplomatic ties reached their lowest point in 2023.
In considering Canada, we see an economy that complements ours. We see a fellow open society. We notice cultural diversity,
During that September, then prime minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in connection with the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, sparking a diplomatic firestorm. India strongly refuted these claims and relations deteriorated significantly as the two nations suspended visa services and recalled senior diplomats.
Canada hosts approximately 1.7 million people of Indian origin and these events were monitored with concern in both countries.
However indicators of improvement have appeared recently after Prime Minister Mark Carney took over.
During June, the two leaders held a bilateral meeting during the G7 summit held in Canada. Two months later, the countries assigned fresh diplomatic representatives to each other's countries.
The foreign ministers additionally convened on the sidelines the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in September.
During the recent visit, India's External Affairs Minister stated that the relationship between the two countries have been steadily progressing in the last few months.
He added that these factors constituted "the foundation for a strong, lasting and long-term cooperative framework".
"Both nations are dedicated to strengthening these ties now and in the long term, especially when it comes to our mutual priorities in the Indo-Pacific," Anand remarked.
The two countries will resume the bilateral business forum, which brings together executives of both nations to enhance bilateral trade and investment. This development comes as India addresses the pressure of significant import duties imposed by US President Donald Trump on Indian goods.
The Canadian minister will additionally convene with India's Commerce Minister Mr. Goyal for talks on enhancing commercial relations. She will visit India's financial capital to address industry executives about investments and economic opportunities.
Subsequently, she will proceed to Asian nations as part of Canada's regional policy that focuses on expanding Canadian involvement in the region.
