In a significant development for bilateral relations, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand even as Canada confirmed its Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu's visit to India to boost economic cooperation between the two nations.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagement
The meeting between Jaishankar and Anand took place on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Ontario's Niagara region. This marked the third meeting between the two ministers this year, indicating growing momentum in the India-Canada relationship.
Jaishankar expressed optimism about rebuilding the bilateral partnership and congratulated Anand on Canada's successful hosting of the G7 foreign ministers' meeting. The Indian minister also appreciated the progress in implementing the New Roadmap 2025, which outlines plans for enhanced cooperation between the two countries.
Strengthening Trade and Security Ties
Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu's visit to India, which began on November 12, aims to advance trade and investment linkages between the two nations. Sidhu will travel to Visakhapatnam on November 14 to participate in the Confederation of Indian Industry Partnership Summit.
In an official statement, Sidhu emphasized that this visit reinforces Canada's commitment to diversifying trade relationships and attracting new investment. He highlighted India's position as one of the fastest-growing major economies and noted that bilateral trade between the two countries surpassed $30 billion in 2024.
The timing of these diplomatic exchanges is particularly significant given the current global trade landscape. Both India and Canada have been navigating challenges in their relationships with the United States, where India-US ties have been affected by 50% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
Comprehensive Bilateral Discussions
During their meeting, Jaishankar and Anand discussed multiple aspects of the bilateral relationship, including cooperation on trade, energy, security, and people-to-people ties. Anand also expressed Canada's deepest condolences for the lives lost in the Delhi blast and reaffirmed that Canada stands with the people of India during this difficult time.
The ministers exchanged views on the ongoing law-enforcement dialogue between Canadian and Indian authorities and discussed progress on the Canada-India road map. This comprehensive plan aims to enhance cooperation in key areas including energy, trade, and people-to-people connections.
Anand acknowledged India's importance as a partner for Canada, recognizing India as the world's fourth largest economy and highlighting the relationship built on more than 75 years of diplomatic relations. Both ministers agreed to maintain regular contact as the two countries continue to implement their joint roadmap for future cooperation.
