India, Canada signal thaw in relations as foreign ministers hold first phone call in months
New Delhi: In a potential sign of easing diplomatic tensions, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Canada’s new Foreign Minister Anita Anand spoke over the phone, marking the first high-level contact since the two nations were embroiled in a serious diplomatic row.
The call comes ahead of the upcoming G7 summit, which Canada is set to host next month. India, having attended the last six G7 summits as a guest during outreach sessions, is reportedly eager to be invited again this year. While Australia and Ukraine are believed to be on the guest list, it remains unclear whether India has received a formal invitation.
Jaishankar, in a post on social media platform X, said he “appreciated” the conversation with Anand and discussed “the prospects of India-Canada ties.” He also wished her “a very successful tenure.”
Anand, in a corresponding post, described the discussion as “productive” and highlighted their focus on strengthening bilateral ties, deepening economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities. “I look forward to continuing our work together,” she said.
The diplomatic call follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulatory message to Prime Minister Mark Carney following his election win in April, a gesture widely viewed as India’s first move toward resetting ties after nearly 19 months of strained relations.
The tension had escalated in September 2023 when the Canadian government under then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian officials of involvement in the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a charge India strongly denied. In response to the allegation and the expulsion of six Indian diplomats, India undertook reciprocal diplomatic measures, resulting in a prolonged standoff.
India has consistently accused Canada of giving space to anti-India groups operating from its soil, while Canada reiterated its concerns through official channels, including statements by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police linking Indian officials to covert campaigns against Canadian citizens.
Despite these challenges, the new leadership in Ottawa and recent diplomatic engagements suggest a cautious but deliberate effort on both sides to rebuild trust. Modi’s earlier post had emphasized the importance of democratic values and people-to-people ties between the two nations, indicating a shared interest in moving forward.
Whether these gestures will translate into a full diplomatic rapprochement — including India’s participation in the G7 — remains to be seen. However, the phone call between Jaishankar and Anand is being viewed as a positive first step in that direction.
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Jharkhand Education Minister Ramdas Soren passes away at 62
Ranchi, Aug 15 (PTI): Jharkhand Education Minister Ramdas Soren died on Friday, JMM national spokesperson Kunal Sarangi said.
He was 62.
Soren was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Delhi, where he was admitted on August 2.
"State Education Minister Ramdas Soren, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi, is no more," Sarangi told PTI.
Soren's condition was critical and he was on life support, Sarangi said.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader was airlifted to the hospital in the national capital from Jamshedpur after he fell in the bathroom of his residence on August 2.
A multidisciplinary team of senior specialists was closely monitoring his condition and providing intensive medical care.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren condoled his death.
Hemant Soren, in a post on X, wrote, "Ramdas Da (brother) should not have left us like this. Last greetings to Dada..."
Ramdas Soren, born in Ghorabandha village in East Singhbhum district on January 1, 1963, began his political journey as the gram pradhan of the Ghorabanda panchayat, eventually rising to become one of the most influential ministers in the Hemant Soren-led cabinet.
He won the Ghatshila assembly seat for the third time in 2024 by defeating BJP's Babulal Soren, son of former chief minister Champai Soren.
ऐसे छोड़ कर नहीं जाना था रामदास दा...
— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) August 15, 2025
अंतिम जोहार दादा... pic.twitter.com/5cKZkpIe9Z
