Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, who arrived in India on Sunday evening, met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Monday, as both sides reaffirmed their intent to rebuild trust and strengthen bilateral relations across multiple sectors.
Speaking at their meeting, EAM Jaishankar said, “Our meeting today continues the constructive dialogues that we have over phone calls."
“India–Canada bilateral relations have been steadily progressing in the last two months. We are working to restore and reinvigorate the mechanisms necessary to advance our partnership," he added.
The External Affairs Minister highlighted that recent interactions between the National Security Advisors of both countries marked “an important step in addressing our security concerns."
“When we see Canada, we see a complementary economy, an open society, diversity, and pluralism, all of which form the basis of close cooperation," he said.
“Both sides have made an ambitious roadmap for cooperation in various domains, including trade, investment, civil nuclear collaboration, AI, and energy," Jaishankar said.
Emphasising shared global goals, he noted, “India and Canada have a long tradition of being active in world affairs. We are members of the G20 and the Commonwealth. Our convergence in the Indo-Pacific is notable. We are proponents of effective multilateralism, climate action, and the SDG Agenda 2030."
“We seek to de-risk the international economy today by forging strong partnerships of growing range and depth," Jaishankar added.
“Our responsibility as Foreign Ministers is to shepherd the process of rebuilding our cooperation and to ensure that it delivers on the expectations of our Prime Ministers and the interests of our people."
“It means not only taking initiatives in our particular jurisdiction, but also to monitor and integrate interactions across the entire breadth of the government. I look forward to doing so, working closely with you," Jaishakar said.
“We (India and Canada) seek to de-risk the international economy today by forging strong partnerships of growing range and depth," he added.
Anand, who arrived in India as part of her diplomatic visit to India, Singapore, and China, expressed appreciation for the discussions.
“‘Namaste‘, thank you so much for the warm welcome that we’ve received this morning. We are so grateful to be able to further the Canada–India relationship with you here in New Delhi today," she said.
She also referred to the recent interaction between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Mark Carney at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis.
“Equally, Prime Minister Carney was pleased to welcome Prime Minister Modi to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, where they had a productive bilateral engagement that informs the conversation we are having here today," Anand said.
Highlighting the agenda for the meeting, she added, “Today, we’ll be discussing the India–Canada Joint Statement, which is comprehensive and covers a number of issues that will allow us to continue the work to elevate the bilateral relationship."
Acknowledging Jaishankar’s remarks on security, Anand said, “I appreciate the words you spoke relating to the security dialogue, which, while we elevate the relationship in areas of critical minerals, energy, AI, and climate, to name a few, will continue."
“The meeting that our officials had relating to security and law enforcement just a few weeks ago here was very productive, and that dialogue will continue," she said.
Anita Anand further noted that both governments “agree on the importance of elevating the relationship going further".
“This joint statement will discuss our mutual plans for re-engagement. It will inform Canadians and Indians alike that 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," she said.
“‘Dhanyawaad‘, thank you so much again. We look forward to the conversation," the Canadian Foreign Minister said.
INDIA-CANADA’s JOINT STATEMENT
Later, a joint statement by both the countries stated, “The meeting in New Delhi is a follow up to the guidance provided by the Prime Ministers of the two countries during their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, to take calibrated measures to restore stability in the relationship and to pursue a constructive and balanced partnership grounded in respect for each other’s concerns and sensitivities, strong people-to-people ties, and growing economic complementarities."
“Pursuant to this guidance, both sides initiated several steps, including the joint announcement of reinstatement of High Commissioners on August 28, 2025, meeting between the National Security Advisers of the two countries on advancing India-Canada security cooperation in New Delhi on September 18, 2025."
“…And the agreement to continue senior official-level discussions on security and law enforcement cooperation, pre-Foreign Office Consultations between Secretary (East) and Canada’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in New Delhi on September 19,2025, and a meeting between the 2 Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly high-level week in New York on September 29, 2025."
“In keeping with the priorities that the Prime Ministers of India and Canada had set out for bringing momentum to the relationship, both sides, based on mutual respect for shared democratic values, the rule of law, and a commitment to upholding the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, reached consensus on a New Roadmap for India-Canada relations," it mentioned.
ANITA ANAND’s INDIA TOUR
Other than EAM Jaishankar, Anita Anand, while in India, will also meet Union Minister Piyush Goyal, before she proceeds to Singapore and China, to advance bilateral relations and cooperation with these countries as part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
During her visit to India, the discussions will focus on advancing a framework for strategic cooperation encompassing trade diversification, energy transformation, and security issues.
In addition to Delhi, Anand will travel to Mumbai to engage with Canadian and Indian businesses fostering investment, job creation, and economic opportunities in both Canada and India, the release added.
