(May 19, 2025) In the gilded halls of Rideau Hall this spring, Anita Anand placed her right hand on a copy of the Bhagavad Gita and swore an oath to serve as Canada’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs. With that simple yet profound gesture, Anand made history – becoming the first Hindu ever to hold the role of Canadian Foreign Minister. Dressed in a crimson suit and surrounded by family and colleagues, she smiled as she took the oath, aware that this was more than a personal milestone. It was a proud moment for both Canada and its growing South Asian community — a moment where her dual identity as Indian and Canadian came together in a visible, meaningful way.
“I believe in strong bonds, community bonds, family bonds, and giving life to what brings people together. I really wanted to serve our community and our country in a different way,” Anand once said in an interview that she felt a strong pull toward public service – and on this day, that sense of duty carried her all the way from a small-town childhood to one of the top roles in global diplomacy.
Anita Anand taking oath
Indian-Origin Leaders on the Rise in Canada
Anand becoming Foreign Minister is part of a bigger change in Canadian politics — more and more leaders of Indian origin are playing key roles in shaping the country’s future. In the 2025 federal election, around 24 Indo-Canadian candidates were elected to Parliament, up from 21 in 2021. Out of those, 22 are of Punjabi background, making up over 6 percent of the House of Commons. Many of them now hold important positions in government, showing how Canada’s leadership is becoming more diverse than ever.
This shift has been happening for years. In 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made news by bringing four Indian-origin ministers into his cabinet, including Harjit Sajjan as Defence Minister and Navdeep Bains in charge of industry. When Anita Anand joined the cabinet in 2019, she made history as the first Hindu woman to become a Canadian cabinet minister. Now, six years later, she’s reached another milestone — becoming the first person of Indian origin, and the first visible minority ever, to lead Canada’s foreign affairs. From shaping economic decisions to representing Canada around the world, Indo-Canadian politicians are making a strong and lasting impact on one of the world’s most inclusive democracies.
From Small-Town Nova Scotia to a Life of Service
Anita Indira Anand’s journey to the global stage is in many ways a classic Canadian immigrant story. She was born in 1967 in Kentville, Nova Scotia, a town of just 5,000 people where her family was one of only a couple of Indian-origin households. Her father, S.V. Anand, had come from Tamil Nadu and worked as a general surgeon, while her mother, Saroj D. Ram, hailed from Punjab and worked as an anesthesiologist. Growing up in rural Nova Scotia, Anand learned the values of community and giving back from her parents’ example. “My parents came to Canada in the 1960s. I think there were only two immigrant families in our small town… so we did everything together. As doctors in the community, they taught us that you should give back to your community and try to make it better,” she recalled. Those early lessons in generosity of spirit and public service would set the course for her life.
In 1985, Anita Anand’s family moved to Ontario, where she began an impressive academic journey. She earned a degree in political studies from Queen’s University and graduated as a gold medallist in 1989. She then studied law at Oxford University in England, followed by more legal degrees from Dalhousie University and the University of Toronto.
She went on to become a respected legal scholar. She taught at the University of Toronto, Yale and Oxford and held the prestigious J.R. Kimber Chair in Investor Protection and Corporate Governance. Her work earned her several awards and honors, including the Yvan Allaire Medal from the Royal Society of Canada for her contributions to governance. She also received the Trailblazer Award from the Canadian Association of South Asian Lawyers and the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Award in 2023 for her efforts in promoting conflict resolution.
Through these years, Anand also built a happy life in Ontario. She met her husband, John Knowlton, while working at a Toronto law firm in the 1990s. The couple married in 1995 and eventually settled in Oakville, a suburban community outside Toronto, where they raised their four children. Oakville quickly became home for Anand. “I love Oakville because it’s an incredible community. I’ve raised my four kids here and I wouldn’t leave it for the world,” she said fondly. That deep connection to her community later became the springboard for her leap into politics.
Stepping Into Politics and Rising to Prominence
Anita Anand’s entry into politics was quick and impressive. She ran for office in 2019 and was elected as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Oakville. That same year, then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won re-election and chose Anand to join his cabinet as Minister of Public Services and Procurement. Although she was new to politics, her strong background made her stand out. In this role, she was in charge of managing government purchases – a job that became especially important when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Anand became the key figure leading Canada’s efforts to buy vaccines and medical supplies. She worked with drug companies and helped secure millions of vaccine doses and protective gear – efforts that many believe helped save countless Canadian lives.
Anand’s strong work during the pandemic led to a big promotion in 2021. Prime Minister Trudeau appointed her as Canada’s Minister of National Defence — one of the most important and challenging roles in the cabinet. She became only the second woman, and the first person of colour, to ever hold that position.
Whether it was handling new fighter jet deals or working with international allies, she showed she could manage complex and sensitive issues. Her ability to take on tough tasks earned her a reputation as one of Trudeau’s most trusted ministers. Maclean’s magazine even called her the government’s “all-round fixer.”
In just a few years, Anand took on several important cabinet roles, showing how flexible and capable she is. In 2022–23, she led the Treasury Board, where she managed government spending and pushed for more diversity in Canada’s public service. Then, in late 2024, she became Minister of Transport, focusing on improving Canada’s supply chains and making trade between provinces easier. Talking about her approach to leadership, Anand said, “Empathy is the key for me. It’s what I strive to do every day – to have understanding for what people are going through and try to do your best to make their situation better. It’s my honour to serve”.
Her focus on people, along with her reputation for solving problems, helped pave the way for her biggest role yet — becoming Canada’s Foreign Minister.
A Trailblazer on the Global Stage
When Prime Minister Mark Carney took office in 2025, it came as no surprise that Anita Anand was given a major role in his new cabinet. In the post-election reshuffle, he named her Minister of Foreign Affairs — a big job, especially during a time of global challenges. With years of experience managing tough situations both in Canada and abroad, Anand was well prepared to represent the country on the world stage. Her appointment was not only important but also historic. She became the first woman of Indian origin to serve as Canada’s Foreign Minister, and the first to take the oath of office on a Hindu scripture. When she stood before the Canadian flag with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita, it was a proud moment for Canadian Hindus and the wider South Asian community.
Her oath also made headlines in India, where media outlets praised how she “reaffirmed her cultural heritage by taking the oath with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita.” It was seen as a powerful moment that symbolized the connection between Canada and India.
“The balancing act involved in my life, I think, is replicated over and over in many people’s lives – certainly many working moms. I see incredible people in our community… I’m inspired by our community and that’s one of the reasons I love being here,” she once said, showing how much she draws strength from the everyday Canadians around her — just as they now look up to her.
From Ottawa to New Delhi, her story is a powerful example of diversity and public service. By taking her oath on the Bhagavad Gita, she showed the world that it’s possible to stay true to your heritage while serving a larger mission. Now, Canada’s foreign policy is in the hands of a leader who truly represents its spirit of Unity in Diversity. And Anand’s journey on the world stage is just getting started.
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