Modi meets Anita Anand, notes significance of enhanced cooperation between India, Canada in multiple sectors

Modi conveyed that her visit would contribute to ongoing efforts to impart new momentum to the India–Canada bilateral partnership.

"Prime Minister recalled his visit to Canada in June this year for G7 Summit during which he held an extremely productive meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney," the Indian government said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Anand when they had a 'constructive discussions' to restore and reinvigorate the mechanisms necessary to advance our partnership.

"Had constructive discussions to restore and reinvigorate the mechanisms necessary to advance our partnership. Also exchanged views on global developments and our responses to shared challenges," Jaishanakr wrote on X.

"We also agreed on an ambitious cooperation roadmap. And to shepherd the process of rebuilding our cooperation so that it delivers on the expectation of our leaders and the interests of our people," he said.

Why does Anand's India visit assume significance?

The Canadian Minister's visit to India assumes significance with the relationship between the two nations deteriorating during former PM Justin Trudeau's tenure.

Diplomatic relations between the two nations hit a low point in 2023 following tensions related to Khalistani separatist movements and the tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats.

However, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney aimed to improve the ties and invited Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit.

The relationship between India and Canada touched an all-time low during the tenure of former PM Justin Trudeau following the death of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

A diplomatic row between the two countries began after Trudeau alleged India's role in the killing of the Khalistani leader.

In June 2023, Nijjar, who was a Canadian citizen, was gunned down close to the  Vancouver gurdwara.

Trudeau continuously alleged 'agents' of the Indian government were behind Nijjar's killing.

The Indian government continuously rejected all allegations levelled against it.

India and Canada had then expelled and recalled senior diplomats with ties reaching their lowest points at the end of Trudeau's tenure.

In January 2025, a Canadian commission, probing into alleged foreign interference in its electoral processes and democratic institutions, in its report stated that "no definitive link" with a "foreign state" in connection with the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was "proven".

The Indian government's position was vindicated by the report.

Canadian politics soon witnessed a massive change with Mark Carney taking charge of the Liberal Party and becoming the Prime Minister after Trudeau stepped down from the post, ending his 10-year rule.