Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney named Indian-Origin Anita Anand as the new foreign minister. Anita has replaced Mélanie Joly, who has been allotted a new role as minister for Industry.
After taking oath as minister, Anand said she would work with the Canadian prime minister and will justify her role by building a safer, fairer world for the Canadians.
She wrote on X, “I am honoured to be named Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and our team to build a safer, fairer world and deliver for Canadians.”
I am honoured to be named Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and our team to build a safer, fairer world and deliver for Canadians. pic.twitter.com/NpPqyah9k3
— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) May 13, 2025
Who is Anita Anand?
Anita Anand is a lawyer by profession, along with academics and politicians. Previously, Anand had served Canada as defence minister, transport minister, and minister of innovation, science, and industry.
Anita has become the first Hindu minister appointed as the country’s foreign minister.
Anita Anand was born and brought up in Kentville, Nova Scotia. Anita’s father moved to Canada in early 1960. Anita’s father was a native of Tamil Nadu, while her mother was a Punjabi. Gita and Sonia are her sisters.
Anita’s educational journey
The new foreign minister has four children. She earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies from Queen’s University and attended the University of Oxford to complete her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Jurisprudence. She completed her Master of Laws from the University of Toronto.
Political Career
During COVID-19, she led Canada’s Public Services and Procurement Ministry and managed the acquisition of vaccines. She held the portfolio of Defence, where she brought cultural change to the Canadian Armed forces and handled the issue of sexual misconduct. She also oversaw the training of Ukrainian soldiers in the war against Russia.
