Latest news with #Canada-India
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'One step at a time': Canada's new foreign minister on rebuilding ties with India
Anita Ananda (File photo) Canada's new foreign affairs minister Anita Anand said on Thursday (local time) that the country's new government is taking "one step at a time" to rebuild the relationship with India. The Canada-India ties suffered a major rupture in September, 2023, when Canada's then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of a role in the murder in June that year of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Canadian national was a designated Khalistani terrorist in India. India has denied the allegation. 'We are certainly taking it one step at a time. As I mentioned, the rule of law will never be compromised, and there is an ongoing investigation regarding the case that you mentioned,' Anand told The Globe And Mail, referring to the Nijjar murder. 'At the same time, we are looking forward to continuing to build this partnership, and we're looking forward to that as a government. It's part of the process of diversifying our relationships and building relationships around the world," she added. The Oakville East MP's remarks come days after her May 25 phone call with Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Asked if she believes that the call is the beginning of a process that would lead to the exchange of high commissioners between India and Canada, Anand replied that Canada is approaching the relationship "incrementally." Canada's and India's ambassador-level posts in each other's capitals remain vacant nearly two years into the diplomatic face-off. Mark Carney, who succeeded Trudeau as Canada's prime minister in March, called a snap federal election in April. In the election, which was to be held by October, Carney led the Liberal Party to victory . The Liberal Party has been in power in Canada since 2015.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Hindu Canadian Foundation defends Anita Anand for her talks with Jaishankar, calls out World Sikh Organization for 'bullying' her
Hindu Canadian Foundation defended Anita Anand for her talks with Jaishankar. Canada's first Indian-origin foreign minister Anita Anand recently spoke with her Indian counterpart S Jaishankar over the telephone and called the discussion productive towards strengthening Canada-India ties. This led to an internal power play in Canada with the World Sikh Organization of Canada slamming Anand and the Hindu Canadian Foundation criticizing WSF for disparaging Anand. The World Sikh Organization said it was "deeply disappointed" by Anita Anand's remarks that the conversation was productive. WSO questioned the silence of the minister over the "targeting of the Sikh community in Canada". The Hindu Canadian Foundation defended the Hindu minister and called out the Sikh organization for bullying her. The HCF said WSO does not represent the entire Sikh community and operates with their own political and social agendas. "WSO is bullying @AnitaAnandMP for merely trying to improve relations with India—an economic powerhouse in Asia. Strengthening diplomatic ties with India has the potential to benefit all Canadians by facilitating trade and fostering economic growth, particularly at a time when Canada faces external geopolitical pressures," the HCF said. "As Prime Minister @MarkJCarney has emphasized, building a stronger Canada requires unity and determination. His leadership reflects a commitment to advancing the country's interests, and his vision calls for parliamentary support to ensure national progress—an idea that resonates broadly across political lines," it said. "Regardless of party affiliation, elected officials must remain accountable to Canadians, prioritizing the nation's well-being over external influences or interests that do not align with the broader goals of the country," the HCF said. "Thank you Minister @DrSJaishankar for the productive discussion today on strengthening Canada–India ties, deepening our economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities. I look forward to continuing our work together," Anand posted after her talks with Jaishankar. 'Appreciate the telecon with FM @AnitaAnandMP of Canada. Discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. Wished her a very successful tenure,' Jaishankar wrote on X.
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
India, Canada move to mend diplomatic ties
NEW DELHI: India's foreign minister said he had spoken to his Canadian counterpart as the two sides seek to ease fraught relations. The telephone call, which took place late Sunday, is the highest diplomatic contact between Ottawa and New Delhi since Mark Carney became Canadian prime minister in March. Ties between Canada and India were strained following accusations of New Delhi's involvement in the 2023 assassination of a Canadian Sikh, claims India denied. India's Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said he had 'discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties' with newly appointed Foreign Minister Anita Anand and he had 'wished her a very successful tenure'. Anand, whose parents hailed from India, said on X she looked forward 'strengthening Canada-India ties, deepening our economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities'. Canada is home to the largest Sikh community outside of India and includes activists for 'Khalistan', a fringe separatist movement seeking an independent state for the religious minority carved out of Indian territory. Ottawa previously accused India of orchestrating the 2023 killing in Vancouver of 45-year-old naturalised Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistan campaigner, and targeting other Sikh activists connected to the movement. India has repeatedly dismissed the allegations, which sent diplomatic relations into freefall, with both nations last year expelling a string of top diplomats. The Khalistan campaign dates back to India's 1947 independence and has been blamed for the assassination of a prime minister and the bombing of a passenger jet. It has been a bitter issue between India and several Western nations with large Sikh populations. New Delhi demands stricter action against the Khalistan movement, which is banned in India, with key leaders accused of 'terrorism.'
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
India, Canada move to mend ties
India's foreign minister said he had spoken to his Canadian counterpart as the two sides seek to ease fraught relations. The telephone call, which took place late Sunday, is the highest diplomatic contact between Ottawa and New Delhi since Mark Carney became Canadian prime minster in March. Ties between Canada and India were strained following accusations of New Delhi's involvement in the 2023 assassination of a Canadian Sikh, claims India denied. India's Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said he had "discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties" with newly appointed Foreign Minister Anita Anand and he had "wished her a very successful tenure". Anand, whose parents hailed from India, said on X she looked forward "strengthening Canada-India ties, deepening our economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities".
Gulf Today
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
India, Canada move to mend ties as Jaishankar speaks to Anita Anand
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar spoke with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand through a telephonic conversation for the first time and discussed strengthening the relationship between the two countries. Anand made the announcement on Sunday on her social media account on X, thanking EAM Jaishankar for the "productive discussion" on Indo-Canadian ties. "Thank you Minister @DrSJaishankar for the productive discussion today on strengthening Canada-India ties, deepening our economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities. I look forward to continuing our work together," she wrote on X. Soon after, EAM Jaishankar confirmed the conversation with Anand on Sunday on his official X account, saying he discussed prospects of the relations between the two countries. "Appreciate the telecon with FM @AnitaAnandMP of Canada. Discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. Wished her a very successful tenure," he wrote on X. Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing for deepening economic cooperation with India. Canada will be hosting the G7 Summit from June 15 to 17. Indian-Canadian lawmaker Anita Anand, 58, was appointed as Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs earlier this month in a Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney almost two weeks after his Liberal Party won the parliamentary elections. On May 14, EAM Jaishankar congratulated Anand on her appointment as Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs. Anand was the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry before the Canada elections and in the past has served in several roles, including Defence Minister. She replaced Melanie Joly, who is now the Minister of Industry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had congratulated Carney on being elected as the Canadian Prime Minister after his predecessor Justin Trudeau stepped down from the role. In his message, PM Modi had stressed strong people-to-people ties between the two countries while saying he was looking forward to "unlocking greater opportunities". With Carney, it looks like India wants to turn a new leaf in bilateral ties that had nosedived under Trudeau amid unsubstantiated allegations against New Delhi related to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. Even during his campaign, the Canadian Prime Minister said rebuilding ties with India was a priority for his government, describing it as an "incredibly important relationship". He had said Canadians have deep personal, economic and strategic ties with India. Relations between India and Canada took a big hit in 2023 after Trudeau publicly accused India of being involved in the killing of Nijjar on Canadian soil, allegations that India described as "absurd" and "politically motivated". Tensions escalated as Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, followed by a tit-for-tat move by India last year. Both countries expelled top envoys, froze trade talks and suspended official visits. India has accused Canada of tolerating extremism on its soil and failing to take action to curb attacks against its diplomats. Indo-Asian News Service
