Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s appointment of four Indian-origin politicians to key roles in his new government – including Anita Anand as foreign minister – has raised hopes of a reset in strained diplomatic and trade relations with India.
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Maninder Sidhu was named minister for international trade, while Ruby Sahota and Randeep Sarai were given roles as secretaries of state for crime prevention and international development, respectively.
The high-profile appointments come as expectations grow that Carney – who previously led the central banks of Canada and the United Kingdom – could bring a more pragmatic approach to foreign policy.
His campaign promise to push back against US President Donald Trump’s economic pressure while restoring Canada’s global credibility struck a chord with voters weary of diplomatic upheaval.
“I think Carney’s decision must be viewed rather positively. Carney has signalled even during his election campaign that he plans to relook at relations with India,” Vivek Mishra, deputy director of strategic studies programme at the Observer Research Foundation, said on Friday.
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“My sense is that his government will take that forward.”