Visit Marks First High-Level Ministerial Trip Since Diplomatic Rift Over Nijjar’s Killing

New Delhi, September 25, 2025 (Thursday)

India and Canada appear to be moving cautiously toward repairing their strained relationship. In a symbolic breakthrough, Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand is set to travel to New Delhi in October 2025. This high-level engagement comes more than two years after ties between the two democracies suffered a serious setback following the Hardeep Singh Nijjar dispute.

The visit, described by both governments as a step toward reconciliation, represents the most important ministerial-level contact since 2023. It highlights a significant diplomatic thaw in India-Canada relations and signals intent to rebuild cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, education, and security.

How Relations Broke Down

The Nijjar dispute erupted in June 2023, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and separatist leader whom India had designated as a terrorist. New Delhi categorically denied the claims, calling them baseless and politically motivated.

The fallout was immediate and severe. India suspended visa services for Canadian nationals, expelled diplomats, and scaled back consular cooperation. Ottawa responded with reciprocal measures, and for months, India-Canada relations were at their lowest point in decades.

The bitterness spilled over into education and trade as well. Canada is home to over 1.4 million Indian-origin residents and nearly 300,000 Indian students, making it a major destination for higher education. Many families were left in uncertainty due to delays in India Canada student visas, while businesses faced obstacles in ongoing trade and investment projects.

Breakthrough at the G7

The ice began to thaw earlier this year during the Modi-Carney meeting at the G7 Summit in June 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney discussed ways to de-escalate tensions and resume normal diplomatic channels.

The breakthrough led to both countries restoring high commissioners in each other’s capitals and agreeing to resume structured diplomatic exchanges. This was followed by the visits of Canada’s Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison and Security Adviser Nathalie Drouin to India in September, paving the way for Foreign Minister Anand’s upcoming trip.

Anita Anand’s India Visit: A Turning Point

The Anita Anand India visit in October is expected to mark a turning point in the normalization process. According to senior diplomats, Anand will engage with her Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, to chart out a step-by-step approach toward diplomatic cooperation.

Key issues on the agenda include:

1. Trade and CEPA Talks – Reviving the stalled CEPA negotiations between India and Canada will be a top priority. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement has the potential to raise bilateral trade, currently valued at around $8 billion annually, to much higher levels by reducing tariffs and improving market access.
2. Student and Visa Services – Restoring trust in the education sector is critical. Canada’s large population of Indian students has faced challenges due to reduced consular staff. Both sides are likely to focus on smoother processing of India Canada student visas and enhanced academic collaboration.
3. Security and Counterterrorism Cooperation – India has long raised concerns over Khalistani extremist activity in Canada. Anand’s visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen India Canada security cooperation, particularly in counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and regional security in the Indo-Pacific.
4. Diplomatic Staffing – A shortage of embassy and consulate officials has hampered consular services. Both countries will look at gradually increasing staffing to pre-2023 levels to better serve citizens.

A Step Toward Balanced Diplomacy

Indian officials have emphasized that the visit is not about erasing past differences but about finding constructive solutions. A senior MEA official noted, “Our goal is a balanced and respectful partnership where both countries’ concerns are taken into account.”

Canadian diplomats have expressed similar views, stressing that Ottawa seeks a respectful relationship with India built on democratic values, the rule of law, and sovereignty. The visit will also reaffirm commitments to shared democratic principles and multilateral cooperation.

The Economic Angle

Trade is set to be one of the most crucial talking points during the visit. Canada is a significant exporter of natural resources, energy, and agricultural products, while India is an attractive market for Canadian technology, services, and education. Despite recent tensions, bilateral trade has remained relatively strong, highlighting the resilience of India Canada trade ties.

Experts believe that resuming CEPA negotiations will create fresh opportunities for businesses in sectors ranging from information technology to agriculture and clean energy. With India’s growing role in global supply chains and Canada’s resource-based economy, both countries stand to benefit immensely from deeper trade engagement.

The Role of the Diaspora

The Indian diaspora in Canada will play a crucial role in shaping the future of bilateral ties. With over a million people of Indian heritage, the diaspora has historically acted as a bridge between the two nations. However, divisions within diaspora politics, particularly around Khalistani activism, have complicated matters.

Restoring a climate of mutual respect and ensuring that extremist activities do not overshadow broader ties will be essential for sustaining the India-Canada diplomatic thaw.

Geopolitical Context

Beyond bilateral issues, Anand’s visit also comes at a time of shifting global geopolitics. Canada has been deepening its Indo-Pacific engagement, aligning closely with allies like the US, UK, and Australia. India, too, has positioned itself as a key player in the Indo-Pacific and a partner in global security.

Strengthened India Canada security cooperation could therefore have broader regional implications, ranging from maritime security to countering transnational threats.

Challenges on the Horizon

Despite the optimism, challenges remain. The Hardeep Singh Nijjar dispute continues to linger in public discourse, and political sensitivities in both countries may slow down reconciliation. Trust-building will require sustained diplomatic engagement and restraint from inflammatory rhetoric.

Analysts caution that while the Canada foreign minister visit India is an important signal, meaningful progress will depend on consistent follow-up, especially in areas like trade agreements, diaspora engagement, and counterterrorism.

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