In a major step toward repairing strained relations, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her three-day official visit to India, signalling renewed diplomatic engagement between the two countries after two years of tensions causes by the Trudeau regime.
Anand described the meeting with Modi as focused on “building on the momentum” from their leaders’ encounter earlier this year at the G7 Summit in Canada.
Soon after, Anand and India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar issued a joint statement announcing a New Roadmap for Canada–India Relations, aimed at restoring trust and stability through a series of calibrated measures across trade, technology, energy, and climate cooperation.
“The Ministers recognised that in the context of ongoing global economic uncertainty and rising geopolitical tensions, a strong and resilient Canada–India bilateral relationship is essential,” the statement said.
“Reviving this partnership will create opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation and reinforce strategic stability in an increasingly complex international environment.”
The roadmap builds upon several recent milestones, including the reinstatement of High Commissioners in August, meetings between the countries’ National Security Advisers in September, and a bilateral discussion between Anand and Jaishankar on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Early initiatives outlined in the joint plan include resuming the Canada–India CEO Forum in early 2026 to foster business investment with a focus on clean technology, infrastructure, agri-food and digital innovation.
Both sides also agreed to re-establish the Ministerial Energy Dialogue to promote collaboration in clean energy, critical minerals and green hydrogen, and to launch the Critical Minerals Annual Dialogue in Toronto in March 2026.
The plan also emphasises strengthening cooperation on climate and environmental protection, including renewable energy, sustainable consumption and emission reduction.
In addition, both countries have pledged to expand research and academic partnerships in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital public infrastructure.
The Ministers further agreed to deepen collaboration in agriculture to improve food security, boost farmers’ incomes and promote climate-resilient practices.
During her visit, Anand also held talks with Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal, who earlier met Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. Both sides described their conversations as productive, highlighting opportunities for cooperation in clean technology, agriculture and critical minerals.
The meeting, alongside Modi’s brief interaction with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the G7, marks a significant diplomatic thaw — and the strongest indication yet that India and Canada are ready to move past a period of political chill toward a renewed era of cooperation grounded in mutual respect, trust and balance.
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