Anita Anand Becomes Canada’s First Hindu Foreign Minister in Cabinet Reshuffle
| 2025-05-14
Anita Anand’s swearing-in was marked by her continued tradition of taking the oath on the Bhagavad Gita, reflecting her Hindu faith and heritage.
Indian-origin politician Anita Anand has been appointed Canada’s new foreign minister, becoming the country’s first Hindu to hold the post amid a major cabinet reshuffle.
Indian-origin politician Anita Anand has been sworn in as Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, becoming the first Hindu to assume the role. The appointment comes as part of a major cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Mark Carney following his recent electoral victory.
Anand, 58, previously served as Canada’s Minister of National Defence and took her oath of office with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita, a practice she has followed in previous ministerial appointments. The reshuffle also saw 41-year-old Maninder Sidhu appointed Minister of International Trade.
Key cabinet changes under new leadership
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who succeeded Justin Trudeau and led the Liberal Party to a general election win on 28 April, announced a 38-member cabinet comprising 28 ministers and 10 Secretaries of State. The changes are seen as a strategic reset for the new administration.
Anand, 58, previously served as Canada’s Minister of National Defence and took her oath of office with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita, a practice she has followed in previous ministerial appointments. The reshuffle also saw 41-year-old Maninder Sidhu appointed Minister of International Trade.
Key cabinet changes under new leadership
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who succeeded Justin Trudeau and led the Liberal Party to a general election win on 28 April, announced a 38-member cabinet comprising 28 ministers and 10 Secretaries of State. The changes are seen as a strategic reset for the new administration.
Anand takes over the foreign ministry portfolio from Mélanie Joly, who has been appointed Minister of Industry. The shift places Anand at the forefront of Canadian diplomacy during a period of heightened geopolitical sensitivity, particularly in relation to India.
“I am honoured to be named Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs,” Anand said in a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and our team to build a safer, fairer world and deliver for Canadians.”
Symbolic significance and diaspora response
Anand’s swearing-in was marked by her continued tradition of taking the oath on the Bhagavad Gita, reflecting her Hindu faith and heritage. Her appointment has been widely welcomed by Hindu organisations in Canada, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Canada and the Canada Hindu Advocacy Coalition.
In a statement posted on X, VHP Canada wrote: “VHP Canada team extends heartfelt congratulations to Minister Anita Anand on her appointment as Canada’s foreign minister. Your leadership continues to inspire the entire Canadian Hindu community and strengthens Canada’s voice on the global stage.”
However, there has been no official response from Sikh organisations, a possible indication of the ongoing tensions between Hindu and pro-Khalistani groups in Canada. The relationship between Canada’s Sikh and Hindu communities has been strained since the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistani figure, in British Columbia.
Background and political trajectory
Anand was first elected to Canada’s House of Commons in 2019 from the Oakville riding in Ontario. She has since held several key positions, including Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Minister of National Defence, and President of the Treasury Board. In the recent federal elections, she retained her seat representing the Oakville East riding.
Born on 20 May 1967 in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Anand is the daughter of Indian immigrants — her mother from Punjab and her father from Tamil Nadu. Her parents, both doctors, migrated to Canada in the early 1960s. Anand holds degrees from Queen’s University, the University of Oxford, and Dalhousie University, and has had a distinguished career in academia and public service. She lives in Oakville with her husband, lawyer and business executive John Knowlton, and their four children.
Relations with India under scrutiny
Anand’s appointment comes at a sensitive time in Canada-India relations, which have been under strain since former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in 2023 that Indian agents were linked to the killing of Nijjar. India rejected the accusation as “absurd,” and the diplomatic row led to reciprocal expulsions of senior diplomats from both countries.
In July 2023, Anand had supported a statement by then-Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly condemning protest materials perceived to threaten Indian diplomats. Her repost of the statement on X affirmed that such materials “do not represent Canadians,” a position that resonated with Hindu advocacy groups.
Sidhu joins cabinet with trade mandate
Alongside Anand, Maninder Sidhu has been named Minister of International Trade. A member of the Liberal Party, Sidhu was first elected in 2019 and previously served as parliamentary secretary to the Foreign Minister.
In a post on X, Sidhu described his appointment as “the honour of a lifetime,” expressing his commitment to expanding Canada’s global trade partnerships and supporting domestic business growth.
“I’m grateful to Prime Minister Mark Carney for the confidence he’s placed in me to diversify trade, support Canadian businesses in reaching new global markets, and help create good-paying jobs across Canada,” he said.
The Indian diaspora and Canadian politics
Canada is home to one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world, including over 770,000 Sikhs, according to the 2021 census. The community holds considerable political influence, particularly in provinces such as British Columbia and Ontario.
The rise of Hindu and Sikh politicians in Canada reflects the broader demographic shifts within the country’s political landscape. However, differing views within these communities—particularly regarding the Khalistan separatist movement—continue to affect Canada’s domestic politics and international relations.
Anand’s new role places her at the centre of these complexities, where her diplomatic skill and past experience will be critical in managing both bilateral relations and Canada’s global foreign policy agenda.
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