Anand’s Visit to India Marks Diplomatic Revival After Two Years

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is in India, signifying the first visit by a Canadian cabinet minister in two years following a period of diplomatic tensions. Anand’s itinerary includes meetings with her Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi and discussions with business leaders in Mumbai. This morning, she is scheduled to address the media after her meetings, which aim to strengthen ties between the two nations.

During her visit, Anand met with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing the importance of building on momentum established during Modi’s visit to Canada for the G7 summit earlier this summer. At that summit, Modi engaged with Prime Minister Mark Carney, marking a renewed interest in collaborative efforts between Canada and India. Following their discussions, Anand and Jaishankar issued a joint statement outlining a roadmap for enhancing the trade partnership, reviving negotiations that have seen numerous interruptions since 2010.

The meeting between Anand and Jaishankar in New Delhi is intended to continue the dialogue initiated earlier this summer. The two ministers expressed their commitment to “take calibrated measures to restore stability in the relationship.” They affirmed the necessity of a “strong and resilient Canada-India bilateral relationship” in light of ongoing economic uncertainties and escalating geopolitical tensions.

Anand’s meeting with Modi, coupled with Carney’s earlier interactions with Indian officials, reflects a thawing in relations after a period of significant strain. In September 2023, the Liberal government in Canada accused New Delhi of being involved in the assassination of a Sikh activist near Vancouver earlier that year. Following those allegations, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) indicated that India was implicated in various criminal activities within Canada.

The diplomatic chill began to ease in June, when Carney extended an invitation to Modi to attend the G7 summit in Alberta. This move was pivotal as both countries agreed to reinstate their top diplomats. Anand’s delegation also included a meeting with Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal, who described their discussions as “productive.” Goyal noted that he had engaged in a similar productive dialogue with Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu last Saturday.

Both nations see opportunities for collaboration in areas such as clean technology, agriculture, and critical minerals. Goyal emphasized that trade and investment must be founded on principles of mutual respect, trust, and balance. Furthermore, Canada and India have agreed to enter discussions behind closed doors regarding security issues, with Canadian officials indicating progress in addressing concerns about transnational repression without allowing those issues to overshadow the broader relationship.

According to a briefing binder prepared by Global Affairs Canada in May, India has played a role in creating challenges for the global trading order that Canada relies on, particularly concerning rules established by the World Trade Organization. The binder notes, “Negotiations of major interest such as agriculture have long been stalemated. A handful of obstructive members, led by India, routinely block outcomes negotiated and desired by most members.”

Anand’s visit is seen as a crucial step towards mending ties and addressing historical grievances, while also fostering a more cooperative approach to trade and security in the future.