New Delhi— External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to visit Canada on November 12 to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Ontario, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Tuesday. The visit is seen as a significant step in reviving India-Canada relations, which have been strained for over two years.
Jaishankar will participate in the G7 outreach session for partner nations at the invitation of Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. The ministry said his presence underscores India’s determination to collaborate with international partners to tackle global challenges and promote the interests of the Global South.
During the visit, Jaishankar is expected to hold several bilateral meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of the conference.
This visit comes shortly after both nations appointed new high commissioners, signalling an effort to rebuild trust following the diplomatic rift triggered by the June 2023 killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The issue had soured relations after former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement—allegations India strongly denied as “baseless.”
Canada’s foreign ministry said the G7 meeting will focus on global security and economic stability, with outreach partners including India, Brazil, Australia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, and Ukraine.
Jaishankar and Anand are also expected to meet on the sidelines, marking their third meeting in just two months. The two last met during Anand’s visit to New Delhi, following their earlier interaction in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly. Both sides had then unveiled a roadmap to normalize relations and agreed to resume trade and investment talks.
The visit is being viewed as a diplomatic breakthrough, reflecting a cautious but clear attempt by both countries to restore normalcy and strengthen cooperation after a turbulent phase.
