Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: The appointment of Anita Anand as Canada’s new Foreign Minister marks a significant turn in the country’s foreign policy direction — especially in the context of its deeply strained relations with India. Anand, a second-generation Indian-Canadian, took her oath with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita. That symbolic gesture carried a powerful message: Canada’s top diplomat is deeply rooted in both her Canadian and Indian identities.
As Foreign Minister, Anita Anand is expected to be more sensitive towards Indian sentiments
This dual heritage could well serve as a diplomatic bridge at a time when both nations need it the most.
Canada-India ties hit rock bottom in 2023, following explosive allegations by the Trudeau government over India’s alleged involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh separatist. The fallout was swift: diplomatic expulsions, frozen trade talks, and a clampdown on visa services. For months, dialogue gave way to deadlock.
Anand’s elevation comes at a moment when both countries could benefit from a diplomatic reset. Her Indian heritage is not merely symbolic — it gives her an innate understanding of the cultural and political sensitivities that underpin India’s global posture. It also positions her uniquely to engage in quiet diplomacy on issues like extremism within the diaspora, which has been a major irritant in bilateral ties.
Unlike some figures in the previous Liberal establishment who were seen in India as sympathetic to Khalistani sentiments, Anand has struck a more measured tone. During her tenure as Defence Minister from 2021 to 2023, she earned a reputation for competence and strategic clarity. She was instrumental in managing Canada’s NATO commitments and was deeply engaged in national security matters —credentials that bolster her credibility in the eyes of Indian policymakers.
Crucially, Anand also understands the political weight of Canada’s 1.4 million-strong Indian diaspora. Her approach is likely to emphasise balance: safeguarding Canadian laws and freedoms while ensuring they are not exploited to promote separatist agendas. That will be a delicate line to walk — but one that Anand, with her personal background and political pragmatism, may be better equipped to navigate than her predecessors.
If handled with tact and maturity, her tenure could revive stalled trade negotiations, reopen migration channels, and reinvigorate bilateral cooperation in sectors like education, technology, and defence. She could also be instrumental in depoliticising diaspora issues that have long festered due to lack of open, good-faith dialogue between Ottawa and New Delhi.
However, it’s essential to consider the broader context. The India-Canada relationship has faced challenges, notably the diplomatic tensions following allegations in 2023 concerning the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. While Anand has emphasised the importance of defending Canadian sovereignty and the rule of law, she has also acknowledged her Indian roots, indicating a nuanced approach to foreign policy.
Still, hope must be tempered with realism. The underlying issues — diaspora extremism, geopolitical divergences, and mutual mistrust — will not vanish overnight. Much will depend on Anand’s room for manoeuvre within Carney’s government and New Delhi’s willingness to re-engage.
What is clear, however, is that Anand represents a fresh diplomatic face untethered to the Trudeau-Nijjar fallout. Her appointment is a chance — perhaps the best in years — for Canada and India to move beyond acrimony to something pragmatic and mutually beneficial.