Anita Anand has made history as Canada’s first Hindu and first woman of Indian origin to serve as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Appointed on May 13, 2025, by Prime Minister Mark Carney, her swearing-in ceremony was marked by her placing her hand on the Bhagavad Gita, symbolizing her cultural heritage and faith .
Born on May 20, 1967, in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Anita Anand is the youngest of four children. Her father hailed from Tamil Nadu and worked as a radiation oncologist, while her mother, originally from Punjab, was a nutritionist .
Anand boasts an impressive academic background:
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Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies – Queen’s University
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Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Jurisprudence – University of Oxford
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Bachelor of Laws (LLB) – Dalhousie University
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Master of Laws (LLM) – University of Toronto
Before entering politics, she was a law professor at the University of Toronto, specializing in corporate governance and financial markets .
Political Career
Anand entered politics in 2019, representing Oakville, Ontario, as a Member of Parliament. Her political journey includes several key positions:
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Minister of Public Services and Procurement (2019–2021)
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Minister of National Defence (2021–2023)
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Minister of Transport (2024–2025)
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Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (March–May 2025).
As Defence Minister, she played a pivotal role in addressing sexual misconduct within the Canadian Armed Forces and led Canada’s efforts in providing military aid to Ukraine during the Russian invasion .
Significance of Her Appointment
Anand’s appointment as Foreign Minister comes at a time when Canada is navigating complex international relations. Her diverse background and extensive experience are expected to bring a fresh perspective to Canada’s foreign policy .