Who Is Anita Anand? All You Need To Know About Canada's First Hindu Foreign Minister

Anita Anand, the Member of Parliament representing Oakville, Ontario, began her political career. Since then, she has held four significant Cabinet positions, reflecting her growing influence and leadership within the Canadian government.
who is anita anand

In a major political move, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a 38-member cabinet, which includes 28 ministers and 10 Secretaries of State. These Secretaries of State will play a crucial role by offering focused leadership on important issues and supporting their respective ministers.

Among the prominent names in the revamped cabinet is Anita Anand, a Canadian of Indian origin, who has taken charge as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs. Here's a closer look at her profile.

Who Is Anita Anand?

Anita Anand, a seasoned Canadian politician of Indian origin, has officially assumed the role of Canada’s Foreign Minister following a significant Cabinet reshuffle led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, as per NDTV.

Previously serving in key positions such as Defence Minister, Anand now succeeds Mélanie Joly, who has been reassigned as Minister of Industry. A senior figure within the Liberal Party, the 58-year-old took her oath of office with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita, continuing a personal tradition she has observed during past Cabinet inductions.

Following her swearing-in, Anita Anand shared her thoughts 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.”

Don't Miss:Cannes Film Festival 2025: Full List of Indian Celebrities Attending – From Alia Bhatt to Urvashi Rautela

All About Anita Anand Canada's New Foreign Minister 2025

Anita Anand was born on May 20, 1967, in Kentville, Nova Scotia, to Indian immigrant parents, Saroj D Ram and S V Anand who moved to Canada from India in the early 1960s. Her mother hails from Punjab, while her father comes from Tamil Nadu. She has two sisters, Gita and Sonia.

In 1985, at the age of 18, Anand relocated to Ontario to pursue higher education. She studied political science and later earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford. She continued her academic journey with law degrees from Dalhousie University and the University of Toronto, completing both a bachelor’s and a master’s programme. Over time, she built a strong foundation in law, academia, and public service.

Anand entered politics in 2019 as the Member of Parliament for Oakville, Ontario. Since then, she has held four prominent Cabinet positions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as Minister of Public Services and Procurement, overseeing Canada’s vaccine procurement and health supply efforts. In 2021, she was appointed Defence Minister, where she played a key role in coordinating Canada’s support for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia and tackling issues of sexual misconduct within the Canadian Armed Forces.

Don't Miss:CBSE Class 12 Results 2025: Girls Outperform Boys This Year Too, Transgender Students Score 100%

Though she was reassigned to the Treasury Board in mid-2023, a move viewed as a step back, she returned to a more prominent position in September 2024 as Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, according to official government records.

In her personal life, Anand married John Knowlton, a Canadian lawyer and business executive, in 1995. The couple has four children and resides in Oakville. She made history in 2019 as the first Hindu to hold a federal Cabinet position in Canada and has since been recognised for her composed, methodical leadership style, particularly during her tenure as Defence Minister.

Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.

Credits: Anita Anand Twitter



HzLogo

Take charge of your wellness journey—download the HerZindagi app for daily updates on fitness, beauty, and a healthy lifestyle!

GET APP