On May 14, Anita Anand made history by becoming Canada’s first Hindu woman to be sworn in as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. A prominent figure in Canadian politics since her entry in 2019, the Liberal Member of Parliament has held various influential roles, including Minister of National Defence and Minister of Transport. Her elevation to Foreign Minister comes at a critical moment, as Canada’s newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney navigates delicate diplomatic tensions with India.
Anand’s appointment is particularly notable because of her Indian heritage and the timing, following a period of strained relations between the two nations. Born in 1967 in Kentville, Nova Scotia, she is the daughter of Indian immigrants. Her father hailed from Tamil Nadu, while her mother was from Jandiala Guru, a town located near Amritsar in Punjab. Her parents’ global journey began when they met in Ireland during the 1950s, later marrying in England and living in Nigeria and India before settling in Canada in 1965.
Proud of her Indian roots, Anand actively participates in cultural events tied to her heritage. She regularly attends both Hindu and Sikh celebrations, hosts Diwali festivities, and commemorates India’s Independence Day. Speaking in Parliament, she once said, “I am a Canadian who is very proud of my Punjabi and Tamil heritage.” On September 19, 2023, she further emphasized her multicultural identity, stating, “My ethnic background is part and parcel of my entire identity, which is made up of different components, including being a mother, a professor, now a member of Parliament, a Canadian and a Canadian of Indian origin in fact.”
Reflecting on her upbringing in Nova Scotia, a predominantly white region, Anand has often shared her experiences as a South Asian woman in Canada. In an April 2023 interview with The Globe and Mail, she said, “…the fact that I was racialized never left my consciousness. There weren’t very many people who looked like me and my sisters at my school.” These formative experiences shaped her inclusive approach to governance, and she strives to ensure that her work reflects her commitment to diversity. “I try to incorporate my views about diversity and inclusivity in everything I am doing,” she explained.
Before her political career began, Anand built a formidable academic resume. She holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees—one in Political Studies from Queen’s University and another in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford. She also earned a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University and later completed her Master’s degree in law at the University of Toronto. Until 2019, she held various teaching and administrative positions in academia.
That year, she became Canada’s first Hindu woman elected to Parliament and the first Hindu Cabinet Minister. In 2021, she made further strides by becoming the second woman in Canadian history to serve as Minister of National Defence. During her tenure, she was responsible for overseeing Canada’s military assistance to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022.
From July 2023 to December 2024, Anand served as President of the Treasury Board Secretariat. She subsequently assumed the role of Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, showcasing her versatility within the federal cabinet.
Her new role as Foreign Minister comes during a tumultuous chapter in Canada-India relations. Diplomatic ties deteriorated significantly under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, especially after he accused India of being involved in the assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in September 2023. The fallout was swift, with both countries expelling each other’s diplomats the following month.
In response to Trudeau’s allegations, Anand addressed Parliament the next day and called for a measured approach. She emphasized the importance of national unity and adherence to legal principles. Offering condolences to Nijjar’s family, she said it was a “very difficult time” for “many of us who have our roots in India.” She firmly added, “I want to be very clear that our government takes any and all allegations of foreign actor interference in Canada extremely seriously.”
She echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiment, emphasizing trust in Canadian institutions. “I agree with Prime Minister Trudeau in letting law enforcement and security agencies take their course for the continued safety of all Canadians,” she said.
Despite criticisms from India that Canada was lenient towards pro-Khalistani groups, Anand defended the country’s Indo-Pacific strategy. She called it “prudent,” explaining that the strategy aimed to bolster relations with countries like Japan and South Korea while also improving ties with India. This framework was initiated in 2022 by then Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, positioning Canada to strengthen alliances in Asia as a counterbalance to China.
Indian officials have repeatedly criticized what they perceive as Canada’s tolerance for anti-India and anti-Hindu sentiments. Just recently, on May 5, India issued a strong objection to Canada over a Toronto parade that featured what Indian authorities described as “threatening language” and “unacceptable imagery” aimed at Indian leaders and citizens. They urged Canada to “act against anti-India elements who spread hatred and advocate extremism and separatist agenda.”
In past incidents, Anand has spoken out against hate speech and vandalism. In June 2024, she condemned the controversial depiction of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on a float in Brampton. “The use of violent imagery in relation to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is disturbing and unacceptable as it promotes and perpetuates hate and violence,” she wrote on social media. Similarly, in February 2023, she denounced the vandalism of Hindu temples, calling it “unacceptable.” In July 2022, she criticized the defacement of a Mahatma Gandhi statue at a Hindu temple in Richmond Hill.
Anand’s elevation to one of Canada’s highest diplomatic offices has sparked interest in India, with observers speculating whether her leadership might open the door to improved bilateral relations. In March this year, before his election, Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated his willingness to repair ties with New Delhi. “There are opportunities to rebuild relationships with India, there needs to be a shared sense of values around commercial relationships, and if I am the prime minister, I look forward to the opportunity to build that,” he said.
Following Carney’s election, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hope for renewed cooperation, saying he looked forward to working together to “strengthen our partnership.”
Anand’s personal background, professional accomplishments, and longstanding advocacy for inclusion position her as a bridge-builder at a time when Canada’s foreign policy requires both sensitivity and strength. Her role as Foreign Minister will likely be scrutinized closely by both domestic audiences and international observers, particularly in India, where many await signs of a diplomatic thaw.