‘Immense potential’ for India-Canada relations amid global uncertainty: Canadian foreign minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. Credit: X/@narendramodi

India-Canada relations have “tremendous potential” amid an uncertain global scenario, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said in New Delhi on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Ms Anand met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as the two countries discussed a wide range of issues, including the India-Canada trade pact along with conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine.

“Nearly 80 years of diplomatic ties have been enriched by generations of families, students and entrepreneurs who have brought our countries together,” Ms Anand said at X after meeting the Prime Minister. “Canada and India have tremendous potential to shape a prosperous future together.”

I am pleased to have met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. We had a productive discussion on further strengthening India-Canada ties in trade, technology, security, energy, education and people-to-people exchanges. India is committed to building a constructive and forward-looking strategic partnership with Canada that brings tangible benefits to the people of both countries. @AnitaAnandMP

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 14, 2026

Ms Anand is in India along with International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu for talks with their counterparts – Mr Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. She said that Mr. Modi will visit Canada in December this year.

Earlier, Mr Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney had a phone call on Tuesday in which the two leaders agreed to conclude a trade deal soon. Last week, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval hosted Canada’s Chief Diplomatic and International Advisor David Morrison.

Ms Anand and Mr Jaishankar participated in a panel discussion on Wednesday titled ‘Middle Power Moment’ along with former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. India is championing the cause of the “Middle Powers” in the light of actions initiated by the United States and Russia in the Persian Gulf and Ukraine.

Expanding energy bonds

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the two ministers had a formal meeting later in the day, which included “a detailed exchange of views on enhancing security and defense cooperation as well as expanding energy cooperation”.

“The ministers also discussed opportunities to deepen their economic partnership, expand bilateral trade and advance cooperation in education, science and technology, people-to-people ties and multilateral fora. They exchanged views on regional and global developments of common interest,” the MEA said in an official readout of the ministerial meeting, which also said they reviewed the discussion for the “early conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations”.

“Minister Anand emphasized the importance that Canada places on India as a valued partner, particularly at a time of geopolitical uncertainty,” a government of Canada press release said.

Published – 14 Oct 2026 20:05 IST