NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with newly appointed Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. The two leaders discussed avenues to strengthen India-Canada relations.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said: “Appreciate the telecon with FM Anita Anand of Canada. Discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. Wished her a very successful tenure.”

Anand, who recently assumed office as Foreign Minister in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new government, reciprocated the sentiment, calling the exchange “productive” and expressing her intention to deepen cooperation with India.

“Thank you, Minister S. Jaishankar, 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 on X.

Relations between India and Canada have been strained after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani extremist and NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil in 2023—an accusation New Delhi rejected as “absurd” and “politically motivated.”