Jaishankar Meets Canadian FM Anand at UNGA Session
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in New York on Monday, signaling a fresh push to normalize relations between the two countries. The engagement, taking place on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), came shortly after the appointment of new High Commissioners in both nations—a move Jaishankar described as a “welcome step” toward rebuilding ties.
In a post shared on X, Jaishankar wrote, “A good meeting with FM Anita Anand of Canada this morning in New York. The appointment of High Commissioners is welcome as we rebuild ties. Discussed further steps in that regard today. I look forward to welcoming FM Anand in India.”
The discussion was part of Jaishankar’s broader diplomatic agenda at UNGA 80, where he engaged with several global leaders including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Wrapping up his engagements in New York, Jaishankar posted a photo with the Indian delegation, noting, “With team @IndiaUNNewYork at the @UN grounds as we conclude the High Level Week of #UNGA80.”
A day earlier, the minister participated in a panel hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) titled At The Heart of Development – Aid, Trade & Technology. Addressing the session, Jaishankar stressed that responses to global challenges must include technology, multipolarity, self-reliance, and south-south cooperation, which he described as interconnected elements of a single strategic framework.
He emphasized that large nations, including India, need to strengthen their domestic capacities to become more self-reliant, which in turn contributes to building a multipolar world order. Jaishankar highlighted India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as an example, pointing out that many countries find India’s model more practical and relatable compared to European or American frameworks.
Discussing demographic shifts and labor demands, Jaishankar underlined the inevitability of a global workforce, noting that despite political debates around migration, the reality of demographic imbalances requires international collaboration. He urged the creation of a modern and efficient model for distributing workforce needs across the globe.
On trade, the minister said that digital advancements have enabled smoother interfaces than at any time in history. He predicted that the re-engineering of the world economy will bring about new trade arrangements and partnerships, with technology and connectivity reshaping global interactions.
Earlier at the UNGA, Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s readiness to take on greater international responsibilities, underlining New Delhi’s role as a trusted partner in fostering cooperation across multilateral platforms.
