India, Canada Hold First High-Level Talks to Reset Ties
In a key step towards restoring fractured diplomatic ties, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held his first official conversation with Canada’s new Foreign Minister Anita Anand on May 25, 2025. The high-level dialogue signals a mutual willingness to move beyond the diplomatic chill that had engulfed bilateral relations in recent years.
India-Canada Relations: A Rocky Past
Relations between India and Canada soured significantly after the September 2023 assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing—an accusation that India dismissed as “absurd and politically motivated.”
In response, India accused Canada of sheltering anti-India extremists and interfering in domestic affairs. The spat led to the expulsion of senior diplomats, suspension of visa services, and a near-complete freeze in bilateral engagements.
However, with the recent change in Canadian leadership and Mark Carney assuming the role of Prime Minister, the political tone has shifted. The appointment of Anita Anand—of Indian origin and the first Hindu woman to serve as Canada’s Foreign Minister—has further added momentum to a potential reset.
Jaishankar-Anand Talks: Constructive Start
The conversation between Jaishankar and Anand focused on economic collaboration and diplomatic re-engagement. Jaishankar took to social media to express optimism, stating, “Discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. Wished her a very successful tenure.”
Anita Anand described the discussion as “productive” and reiterated Canada’s desire to deepen economic ties and pursue mutual priorities. As a former Defence Minister, Anand brings substantial experience in international diplomacy, and her personal background offers a unique layer of cultural connection with India.
Both sides reportedly discussed the restoration of full diplomatic missions, reappointment of high commissioners, and revival of people-to-people ties that had suffered during the standoff.
Diplomatic Reset and Future Prospects
This conversation marks the first formal step toward a diplomatic reset between the two countries. Given the longstanding economic, educational, and diaspora linkages between India and Canada, both sides appear eager to restore normalcy.
Key areas of future cooperation include trade agreements, academic partnerships, counter-terror cooperation, and mobility of skilled professionals. India is expected to closely monitor how the Canadian government handles pro-Khalistani activities, which remain a core concern for New Delhi.
As diplomatic channels reopen, both nations have an opportunity to recalibrate their relationship based on mutual respect, economic pragmatism, and regional stability. The world is watching as two democracies try to move past one of their worst diplomatic fallouts in recent history.
