In a significant move for bilateral diplomacy, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar is set to travel to Ontario, Canada, this week. His visit to participate in a G7 ministerial meeting signals a fresh chapter in India-Canada relations, following a period of quiet diplomatic repair work between the two nations.
Official Engagement and Bilateral Prospects
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the development in an official statement. Dr. Jaishankar will visit Ontario on November 12 at the invitation of Canada's Foreign Minister, Ms. Anita Anand. The primary purpose is his participation in the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Outreach Partners.
The ministry underscored that the EAM's involvement highlights India's steadfast commitment to collaborating with international allies to tackle global issues. It also serves to bolster the voice of the Global South in major international forums. The statement also noted that Dr. Jaishankar is scheduled to hold important bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the main event.
A Context of Recalibration and Outreach
This high-level visit occurs amidst a period of political and economic recalibration in Ottawa. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently emphasized efforts to strengthen links with Asia, especially in light of tariff tensions with the United States.
Speaking after the APEC summit in South Korea, Carney identified the Asia-Pacific as "the fastest growing part of the world" and pointed to the "progress which we have been making with India." He confirmed that senior ministers had been in contact with New Delhi, even as he acknowledged strained ties with the US and advocated for reduced reliance on Washington.
Building on Recent Diplomatic Momentum
The upcoming visit is part of a wider diplomatic push that has seen sustained engagement between India and Canada. In a key development last month, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand visited India for talks with EAM Jaishankar and a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During that trip, the two sides unveiled a cooperation roadmap designed to expand trade, critical minerals supply chains, and energy partnerships. This was a crucial step forward after years of tension that were sparked by a particular incident in 2023. Prime Minister Modi conveyed his warm wishes to his Canadian counterpart and expressed confidence that Anand's trip would inject "new momentum" into the bilateral relationship, also citing his productive meeting with Carney during the G7 Summit in June.
Dr. Jaishankar's forthcoming trip to Ontario is therefore seen as a continuation of this positive trajectory, solidifying the ongoing efforts to mend and strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Canada.
