Anita Anand to replace Justin Trudeau? What her rise as Canada’s PM could mean for India

Canada’s Transport Minister Anita Anand is in the race to become the next Prime Minister of the country. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on January 6 his decision to step down ahead of the 2025 elections.

The next federal election in Canada is scheduled on or before October 20, 2025. In this election, the party that secures the most seats in the House of Commons will form the government, with the leader of that party becoming the next prime minister.

Trudeau’s announcement has, however, sparked speculation over who will succeed him till the next election. Indian-origin leader, Anita Anand is among the top contenders, according to media reports.

Who is Anita Anand?

Anand is the current Minister of Transport and Internal Trade in Canada. Born and raised in rural Nova Scotia, Anand moved to Ontario in 1985. She and her husband, John, raised their four children in Oakville.

Anand has held many positions during her career so far. She was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Oakville in 2019. She served as Minister of Public Services and Procurement from 2019 to 2021 and has also served as President of the Treasury Board and Minister of National Defence.

What could it mean for India?

Anand as Canadian prime minister could have implications for India, keeping in mind her background and policy priorities. Some of the implications could be:

With her Indian roots, Anand may prioritise fostering closer ties with India. This could mean facilitating bilateral trade agreements given the country’s interests in expanding its presence in the Indo-Pacific region. 

Anand may likely give a push to more people-to-people connections considering a significant Indian diaspora in the country.

Canada is home to one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world, with over 1.8 million individuals of Indian origin.

Immigration Backlogs

Anand may address immigration backlogs and take steps in handling anti-India sentiment and extremist narratives within sections of the diaspora in Canada, experts said. Given her tenure as Canada’s Defense Minister, Anand might promote closer defence cooperation with India.

Trudeau’s resignation comes at a time when Canada was in the middle of a row with India over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil in which Ottawa alleged Indian involvement.

The Canada-India relationship has been under strain since Trudeau alleged that New Delhi was involved in the shooting of the Khalistani terrorist outside a Sikh temple in Surrey in June 2023, triggering strains in the relations of the two countries.

India-Canada Ties

Trudeau alleged that the Canadian national security believed “agents of the Indian government” were involved in the killing. India dismissed the allegations. India accused Canada of trying to court the Khalistani population ahead of the federal elections.

Anand’s Indian heritage might as well means shift in foreign policy dynamics in the country in the run up to polls. She might advocate stronger collaboration with India on climate change, clean energy, and technology.

Her government would need to navigate domestic political pressures related to Khalistani elements in Canada, the main reason for strained India-Canada ties.

The relation between India and Canada could significantly improve if she adopts a different approach towards New Delhi at a time when the the ties between the two countries have soured.

However, if she continues Trudeau approach, bilateral relations between the two nations could deteriorate further. And if the Liberal Party emerges victorious in the next election, Canada’s relationship with India will largely depend on the leader it selects in the coming weeks.