In a significant Cabinet reshuffle, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed Anita Anand as the country’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs, replacing Mélanie Joly, who has been named Minister of Industry.

Following her swearing-in, Anand shared her gratitude on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “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.”

Carney’s new Cabinet, unveiled on Tuesday, includes 38 members — 28 ministers and 10 Secretaries of State. The Prime Minister outlined key priorities for his government: forging new economic and security partnerships with the United States, addressing the cost-of-living crisis, and strengthening Canada’s economy.

Who is Anita Anand?

Anita Indira Anand is a distinguished Canadian lawyer, academic, and politician of Indian heritage. She has previously served in several high-profile Cabinet roles, including as Minister of National Defence, Minister of Transport, and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. With this appointment, Anand becomes the first Hindu woman to hold the office of Canada’s Foreign Minister.

Born in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Anand is the daughter of Indian immigrant doctors who settled in Canada in the early 1960s. Her mother hails from Punjab and her father from Tamil Nadu. She grew up alongside her two sisters, Gita and Sonia.

A dedicated scholar, Anand holds an impressive academic portfolio — a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies from Queen’s University, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford, a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University, and a Master of Laws from the University of Toronto. She is also a mother of four, as per her Liberal Party profile.

Anita Anand’s Political Journey

Anand played a pivotal role as Canada’s Minister of Public Services and Procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing the procurement of vaccines and critical protective equipment.

Later, as Minister of National Defence, she led efforts to address sexual misconduct within the Canadian Armed Forces and spearheaded cultural reforms. She also directed Canada’s military support to Ukraine, providing both aid and training personnel following Russia’s invasion in 2022.

Now, as Foreign Minister, Anand steps into a crucial role as Canada navigates global challenges and seeks to reshape its foreign policy under Prime Minister Carney’s leadership.