Earlier this week, Canadian Minister of National Defence Anita Anand was in New Delhi. Her trip is the first Canadian federal ministerial visit to India in two years. The visit comes on the heels of a recent call between Anand and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. They are both trying to diffuse tensions caused by allegations that India was behind the recent assassination of a Sikh activist in Canada.
The meetings between Anand and Jaishankar were all about picking up the conversation that had begun on the heels of the visit earlier this summer. Both leaders expressed their commitment to “take calibrated measures to restore stability in the relationship,” recognizing the importance of a strong partnership amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.
“The strong and resilient Canada-India bilateral relationship is essential,” Anand stated during the meeting. The two ministers posted a joint statement. It provides a framework to deepen economic relations and restart negotiations, which have languished since 2010.
In June, the frosty diplomatic chill between Canada and India began to thaw. To promote this kind of cooperation, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G7 summit in Alberta. This was an important bit of outreach and good faith, indicating as it did a serious desire to heal old wounds. Earlier this month, the two countries agreed to re-establish their highest-level diplomatic envoys. By taking this important step, it shows their desire and intent to normalize their relations.
Anand’s visit included a meeting with India’s Trade Minister Piyush Goyal, who described their discussion as “productive.” Goyal emphasized that any future partnership “should be grounded in the principles of mutual respect, trust and balance.” This feeling is a sign of a new reality sinking in on both sides — that we need to work together in an increasingly unpredictable world.
Anand’s meetings have been intentionally arranged to draw contrast. She is scheduled to meet business leaders in Mumbai, an ambitious itinerary that will underscore Canada’s strong intent to deepen economic relations with India. She will speak to the press after her meetings with Jaishankar, offering a readout of what has been accomplished during her trip.
Just last month, relations between Canada and India came to an explosive head. The Liberal government has blamed New Delhi for Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s assassination, which took place outside Vancouver. Later, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) alleged India of “broad” criminal activity in Canada. These allegations have soured bilateral diplomatic relations. To this end, leaders from either country are directly negotiating the path to a solution by way of discussions.
