Jaishankar, Canada FM hold talks to repair strained ties

In an effort to repair tense bilateral relations, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a phone discussion on Sunday with Canada’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Anita Anand, marking the initial high-level political interaction between the two countries since Mark Carney assumed office as Canadian Prime Minister.

Discussion focused on boosting economic ties and shared priorities

The discussion focused on enhancing economic collaboration and promoting mutual goals. This occurs amidst careful hope in New Delhi for a possible reset in relations after the departure of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during whose tenure the relationship between the two nations worsened significantly.

“Discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. Wished her a very successful tenure,” Jaishankar posted on X after the call.

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Anand, who took office earlier this month, characterized the discussion as “productive.”

Anand, 58, originally from India, has formerly held the position of Canada’s Defence Minister and is a prominent figure in the Liberal Party. She placed her hand on the Bhagavad Gita while taking her oath of office, a gesture she has made during previous Cabinet appointments.

The dIplomatic RifT

Bilateral relations soured in September 2023 when Trudeau alleged that Indian agents may have been “potentially” involved in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. India dismissed the assertion as “ridiculous and driven by motives” while insisting that Canada provides refuge for pro-Khalistan individuals.

The diplomatic divide widened even more as Ottawa associated multiple Indian diplomats, including former High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, with Nijjar’s killing. India later recalled Verma along with five other diplomats in October, and also expelled the same number of Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.