(Image source from: x.com/AnitaAnandMP)

Anita Anand, a Canadian politician, has officially taken the oath as the new foreign minister of Canada following a significant Cabinet reshuffle initiated by Prime Minister Mark Carney. Anand, of Indian descent and a former Defence Minister, succeeds Melanie Joly, who has transitioned to the position of Minister of Industry. Representing the Liberal Party, the 58-year-old politician reaffirmed her commitment by swearing in with her hand placed on the Hindu holy text, the Bhagavad Gita, a practice she has observed during her past Cabinet appointments as well.

This reshuffle occurs as Prime Minister Carney restructures his newly formed Liberal cabinet, consisting of 28 ministers. He has also appointed additional secretaries of state to signify a departure from the previous Justin Trudeau administration. The current Cabinet is designed to reflect both experience and diversity, with women constituting half of its members. Mr. Carney indicated that the selections were made to "deliver the change Canadians want and need," especially in light of heightened tensions in Canada-US relations. After her appointment, Ms. Anand shared her excitement on social media platform X, 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."

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

Representing Oakville East in the House of Commons, Ms. Anand attained her position after winning the 2025 federal election. She has also served as the representative for the Oakville area from 2019 to 2025 and has held critical positions such as Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Minister of National Defence, Minister of Transport, and President of the Treasury Board. Born on May 20, 1967, in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Ms. Anand is the daughter of Indian immigrant doctors, Saroj D Ram and SV Anand, who relocated to Canada from India during the early 1960s. Her mother hails from Punjab, while her father is from Tamil Nadu. She has two siblings, Gita and Sonia.

At the age of 18, in 1985, Ms. Anand moved to Ontario to pursue her education in political science. She later earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Jurisprudence from Oxford University. Additionally, she achieved both a bachelor's and a master's degree in law from Dalhousie University and the University of Toronto, respectively, establishing a robust career that spans law, education, and public service over the years.

In 1995, Ms. Anand married John Knowlton, a Canadian lawyer and business executive. The couple has four children and resides in Oakville. In 2019, she made history as the first Hindu ever to serve in Canada’s federal Cabinet, and throughout her career, she has garnered recognition for her disciplined and committed approach, particularly highlighted during her tenure as Defence Minister.