Foreign ministers review roadmap for stronger cooperation in trade, security, energy, critical minerals, defence and mobility
New Delhi/New York: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, as the two countries continued efforts to strengthen their bilateral relationship.
Jaishankar said that India and Canada are preparing to take their bilateral relationship to a higher level, describing the discussion with Anand as “very productive.” He added that both sides are working to further strengthen ties.
The meeting comes amid renewed diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Ottawa. According to the Canadian Foreign Ministry, the two ministers reviewed progress under the India-Canada roadmap for bilateral engagement, which covers areas including trade, security, energy, mobility, innovation and defence.
CEPA negotiations among key priorities
A major focus of the bilateral relationship is the proposed India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Both sides have reiterated their commitment to advance negotiations, with a shared objective of more than doubling bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion by 2030.
India and Canada are also working to expand cooperation in energy and critical minerals, areas that have acquired greater importance for supply-chain resilience and the global energy transition. The two sides have also identified civil nuclear energy and renewable energy as areas with potential for long-term cooperation.
Nearly 80 years of diplomatic relations
India and Canada have maintained diplomatic relations for nearly 80 years, with substantial people-to-people links and cooperation across education, science and technology, trade, investment, energy, security and defence.
Recent engagement has included regular high-level meetings between Jaishankar and Anand. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has noted that the two foreign ministers have met repeatedly since 2025 as part of efforts to renew institutional engagement and advance the bilateral roadmap.
The annual India-Canada Foreign Office Consultations held in New Delhi on September 2, 2026, also reviewed cooperation in energy and critical minerals, science and technology, education, security and defence, culture, people-to-people ties and consular matters.
The latest Jaishankar-Anand meeting signals continued high-level engagement between the two governments, with both sides seeking to translate the renewed diplomatic momentum into greater cooperation across economic, strategic and people-to-people areas.
The broader focus now is on implementing the bilateral roadmap and expanding practical cooperation while strengthening institutional engagement between India and Canada.