Anita Anand’s legacy: How Canada’s first Indian-origin foreign minister shaped bilateral ties – ups and downs

Anita Anand, Canada’s first Indian-origin foreign minister, has been working to rebuild and strengthen ties between Canada and India. Since taking office, she has made a series of statements and moves aimed at restoring trust after a period of tense relations.When she assumed office, Anand openly recognised the challenges in Canada-India relations, especially following the 2023 allegations of Indian officials’ involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. In a 2025 interview, she described the situation as a “challenging chapter” and said a “one step at a time” approach was needed to rebuild cooperation between the two countries.On Monday, Anand visited India and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S. Jaishankar. She stressed Canada’s commitment to a “long-term relationship” with India, focusing on trade, technology, energy, and climate action. After the meetings, a joint statement highlighted the importance of “respect for each other’s concerns and sensitivities,” signalling a shift towards a more constructive partnership.Under her leadership, Canada and India agreed on a roadmap to boost economic cooperation, with a focus on critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and clean energy. Bilateral trade reached $23.66 billion in 2024. Anand also highlighted the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region, aligning Canada’s foreign policy with India’s goals of regional stability and prosperity.Anand’s efforts have faced some criticism at home. The World Sikh Organization of Canada said she had not addressed the Sikh community’s concerns directly, particularly regarding issues raised during her talks with Indian officials. In response, the Hindu Canadian Foundation defended Anand, condemning the WSO’s actions as “bullying” and expressing support for her diplomatic efforts. The Foundation said that the WSO does not represent the entire Sikh community and accused it of pursuing a divisive agenda.