Who is Anita Anand? Canada's first Hindu foreign minister

In a major moment for global diplomacy and Indian-origin communities worldwide, Anita Anand has been appointed as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs in Canada. With this historic appointment, she becomes the first Hindu and the first woman of Indian origin to take on this key role in Canadian politics.

Anand’s appointment was made on May 13, 2025, by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, as part of his newly formed cabinet after the federal elections. During the oath-taking ceremony, Anand made headlines by placing her hand on the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu text underlining both her faith and cultural roots. Here’s everything you must know about her!

Who Is Anita Anand?

Anita Anand is a Canadian lawyer, academic, and politician. She was born in Kentville, Nova Scotia, in 1967. Her father, originally from Tamil Nadu, was a radiation oncologist, and her mother, who worked as a nutritionist, came from Punjab. She is the youngest of four children.

Before entering politics, Anand had a successful academic career. She was a law professor at the University of Toronto, specialising in corporate governance and financial markets. Her deep knowledge in these fields later helped shape her political career, especially in areas involving procurement and defence.  

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

Anita Anand’s political background

Anita Anand began her political career with the Liberal Party of Canada. She was elected as a Member of Parliament from Oakville, Ontario, in 2019. Soon after, she was appointed as the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, where she played a vital role during the COVID-19 pandemic by overseeing Canada’s vaccine purchases and medical supply chain.

In 2021, she was named Canada’s Minister of National Defence. In this role, Anand was praised for tackling long-standing issues within the Canadian Armed Forces, including workplace misconduct, and for helping coordinate military support to Ukraine. Her appointment as Foreign Minister now puts her in charge of managing Canada’s international relationships at a crucial time for global diplomacy.

What’s more of India in the Canadian cabinet?

Anita Anand’s Indian origin holds strong significance in the multicultural fabric of Canada. Her parents immigrated from India in the 1960s, and she grew up understanding both Indian and Canadian values. Other Indian-origin politicians in the cabinet include Maninder Sidhu as Minister of International Trade, Ruby Sahota, and Randeep Sarai as Secretaries of State.

Thank you to Vaishno Devi Temple for inviting me to attend this year’s Mother’s Day celebration! It warmed my heart to see so many families across #Oakville coming to celebrate and remember our mothers together. pic.twitter.com/J6VIhcXJtK

— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) May 12, 2025

Anand is now one of the most high-profile Indian-origin politicians on the global stage, alongside others like former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

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