New Delhi – India and Canada have taken a major step toward resetting their strained relationship, unveiling a new roadmap for bilateral cooperation following a high-level meeting between Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi. The discussions mark Anand’s first official visit to India and signal a concerted push by both nations to revive economic, political, and strategic engagement after relations deteriorated sharply in 2023.
The two governments agreed to intensify collaboration in critical minerals, trade, agricultural value chains, and ministerial-level discussions on investment and commerce, according to a joint statement issued after the talks. “Reviving this partnership will not only create opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation but also help mitigate vulnerabilities arising from shifting global alliances,” the statement said. Modi told Anand that her visit would help “impart new momentum” to the India–Canada partnership, which both sides now aim to elevate after nearly two years of diplomatic chill.
Relations between New Delhi and Ottawa had plummeted in 2023 after then–Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a claim India strongly denied. In the aftermath, both countries suspended visa services and expelled each other’s top diplomats, sending ties to their lowest point in decades. With a 1.7 million–strong Indian diaspora in Canada, the diplomatic rift had been closely watched in both nations.
Signs of a thaw began to emerge earlier this year after Prime Minister Mark Carney succeeded Trudeau. Carney held a bilateral meeting with Modi at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta in June, and two months later both countries appointed new high commissioners. Anand and Jaishankar also met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September, laying the groundwork for Monday’s talks.
Jaishankar described the renewed momentum as “steady progress,” highlighting shared values of democracy, diversity, and open societies. “When we look at Canada, we see a complementary economy. We see another open society. We see diversity and pluralism,” he said, emphasizing the foundation for a “close, sustainable, and long-term co-operative framework.” Anand echoed the sentiment, saying, “We are collectively committed to advancing this relationship now and in the long term, particularly when it comes to our mutual priorities in the Indo-Pacific.”
As part of the new roadmap, both sides announced the resumption of the Canada–India CEO Forum, which brings together business leaders from both countries to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties. The announcement comes as New Delhi navigates new 50% tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Indian goods, spurring India to diversify its trade relationships.
Anand will also meet India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to further discuss trade expansion before traveling to Mumbai to engage with business leaders on investment opportunities. Her visit is part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to deepen engagement across Asia, including planned visits to China and Singapore following her India trip.
India remains a key source of temporary foreign workers and international students for Canada, while Canada is an important agricultural exporter to India and home to an influential Sikh community. The newly announced roadmap is seen as a strategic decision by both governments to stabilize and modernize their partnership, setting the stage for renewed economic cooperation, diplomatic dialogue, and regional engagement after a turbulent period.