Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. Credit: X/@narendramodi
India-Canada relations have “enormous potential” amidst an uncertain global scenario, said Canada Foreign Minister Anita Anand in New Delhi on Wednesday (October 14, 2026). Ms. Anand met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar as both countries reviewed a wide range of issues, including a trade pact between India and Canada along with the 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 closer,” said Ms. Anand on X following her meeting with the Prime Minister. “Canada and India have enormous potential to shape a more prosperous future, together.”
Ms. Anand is in India along with Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu for engagements with their counterparts – Mr. Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. She indicated that Mr. Modi would visit Canada in December this year.
Earlier, Mr. Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney held a phone call on Tuesday in which the two leaders agreed to conclude a trade agreement soon. Last week, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval hosted Canadian Senior Diplomatic and International Affairs Advisor David Morrison.
Ms. Anand and Mr. Jaishankar participated in a panel discussion titled “Middle Power Moment” along with former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Wednesday. India has been advocating the cause of the “middle powers” in light of the actions initiated by the United States and Russia in the Persian Gulf and Ukraine, respectively.
Expanding energy ties
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that the two Ministers had a formal meeting later in the day that included “detailed exchange of views on enhancing security and defence cooperation, as well as expanding energy cooperation”.
“The Ministers also discussed opportunities to deepen their economic partnership, expand bilateral trade and advance collaboration in education, science and technology, people-to-people ties and multilateral fora. They exchanged perspectives on regional and global developments of mutual interest,” said the MEA in an official readout on the ministerial meeting that also mentioned that they reviewed the discussion for an “early conclusion of negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)”.
“Minister Anand highlighted the importance that Canada places on India as a valuable partner, particularly at a time of geopolitical uncertainty,” said a press note from the Government of Canada.
Published – October 14, 2026 08:05 pm IST
