Indian-origin Anita Anand has been appointed as Canada’s Foreign Minister

Anita Indira Anand sworn in as the new Foreign Minister of Canada on Wednesday under the newly elected government Mark Carney. Anand, a seasoned politician replaced Melanie Joly who will now serve as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. She took to social media (X ) on 14th May to express her gratitude. She further added “ I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and a team to build a safer fairer world and deliver for Canadians.”

Who is Anita Anand?

Anand’s appointment is noteworthy as she is the first Hindu woman to hold the position of Foreign Minister in Canada. She took her oath of office with her hand on the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita, a tradition she has always followed including her previous cabinet appointments. The 58 year old is a lawyer, academic and politician who was born in Nova Scotia in 1967 to Indian immigrant parents. Her mother is from Punjab and her father is from Tamil Nadu. She pursued higher education and holds degrees from Queens university , Wedham College, Dalhousie University and the University of Toronto.

Her Political Career

Anita started her political career in 2019 when she was elected as the Member of Parliament for Oakville. She led Canada’s Public Services and Procurement Ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also led Canada’s efforts to train Ukrainian soldiers following Russia’s invasion to Ukraine . She was the President of the Treasury Board (2023-2024). She also took initiatives for digital transformation and inclusivity in the public sector. She also focused on improving transportation efficiency and strengthening Canada’s economic unity.