Canada taking 'one step at a time' to rebuild ties with India, says FM Anita Anand

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Canada is looking forward to rebuilding its relationship with India

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Ottawa is working to rebuild ties with India as part of a broader effort to diversify trade beyond the United States, and taking “one step at a time.” Her comments came just days after a phone call with her Indian counterpart, according to The Globe and Mail.

She made these remarks during an interview with The Globe and Mail, which focused on the June 2023 killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a case for which then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau blamed India, leading to a historic low in India-Canada relations.

Trudeau claimed that he had “credible allegations" of the involvement of Indian government officials in Nijjar’s death. India denied the allegations. This situation led to expulsions of diplomats, a freeze on trade negotiations, along with some other steps.

Ambassador-level posts in each other's nations after 20 months of tensions still remain vacant.

“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,” she told The Globe and Mail.

“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 not just me” she quoted.

Speaking about Nijjar's case she mentioned, “that investigation is independent and it will continue under the auspices of an independent agency.”

Anand and Jaishankar on May 25, discussed about “strengthening Canada-India ties." Responding to the exchange of high commissioners between India and Canada she said that Ottawa is approaching the relationship incrementally.