EAM likely to meet Canada minister on sidelines of G7

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is expected to hold bilateral talks with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand during his visit to Canada next week for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, official sources told The Tribune.

The meeting between Jaishankar and Anand — likely to take place on the sidelines of the G7 deliberations in the Niagara region of Ontario on November 11-12 — is expected to focus on reviewing the state of India-Canada relations, expanding trade and investment, and deepening cooperation in energy, technology and critical minerals.

“It is expected that EAM will hold bilateral talks with Canada,” an official source confirmed, indicating that New Delhi views the engagement as part of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in ties after a year of strain between the two countries.

Though India is not a member of the G7 grouping, Jaishankar has been invited as a partner country representative to participate in deliberations that are expected to focus on pressing global challenges, including the Indo-Pacific, the Ukraine conflict, economic resilience and supply-chain security.

The G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, chaired by Anand, will see participation from foreign ministers of the G7 member nations — France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US and the European Union. In addition to India, several outreach partners, including Australia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and Ukraine, have also been invited.

The visit marks an important moment in the thaw between New Delhi and Ottawa, which have been gradually rebuilding diplomatic engagement after relations soured last year. “Both sides have signalled readiness to move forward constructively,” an official familiar with the matter said.

While details of Jaishankar’s itinerary are still being finalised, sources indicated he may also call on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa. Further announcements on his bilateral meetings and official engagements are expected closer to the date of the G7 gathering.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is also likely to visit Canada later this month, official sources told The Tribune .