Anita Anand, daughter of a Punjabi mother, becomes Canada's foreign minister

Punjab First News · 13 May 2025, 9:30 PM

Anita Anand speaking at a press conference — Canadian minister Anita Anand (file photo) (Tech. Sgt. Jack Sanders, U.S. Department of Defense / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Indian-origin Anita Anand was sworn in as Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, May 13. Prime Minister Mark Carney gave her the key post in his new cabinet, replacing Melanie Joly.

Anand was born in 1967 in Kentville, Nova Scotia. Both her parents were doctors: her mother, Saroj Ram, came from Punjab and her father, S.V. Anand, from Tamil Nadu.

She is Canada's first Hindu foreign minister. She previously served as defence minister and has also handled transport, internal trade and the Treasury Board.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar congratulated her. Her appointment came as India and Canada were trying to put their strained relationship back on track.

For Canada's large Punjabi community it is a proud moment: the daughter of a Punjabi mother will now be Canada's voice abroad and lead its dealings with India.