Indian origin Canadian Foreign Minister Ms Anita Anand seems to be a big diplomat in her young age. She not only succeeded in bringing her two homelands together again after international organized crimes of India in Canada killing a Sikh leader there severed to the last stage of calling the diplomatic staff back but made her Prime Minister Mark Joseph Carney visit India and sign a deal on supply of uranium and cooperation in nuclear reactor technology.Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Tahir Andrabi stated the following:
Pakistan has noted with concern the long-term uranium supply agreement concluded between Canada and India and potential cooperation on small modular reactors and advanced reactor technologies between the two sides.
This arrangement represents yet another country-specific exception in the field of civil nuclear cooperation. It is particularly ironic given that India’s 1974 nuclear test, conducted using plutonium produced in a reactor supplied by Canada for peaceful purposes, had led directly to the establishment of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
A state whose actions necessitated the establishment of global export controls is now being granted preferential access under selective arrangements. In this context, the arrangement also undermines Canada’s commitment to the international non-proliferation regime and its corresponding obligations under that framework.
DPM/ Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar’s conversation with Anita Anand as shared by MOFA of Pakistan.
The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and agreed to further enhance economic cooperation across diverse sectors, including agriculture, clean energy, and critical minerals, as well as strengthening people-to-people ties. FM Anand also appreciated the vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Canada.
Both sides emphasized the importance of sustained high-level exchanges to maintain the positive trajectory in bilateral engagement.
They also discussed evolving regional developments, with DPM/FM stressing the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to international law to promote de-escalation and stability in the Middle East and the wider region.
The call from Anita Anand soon after her PM’s and hers visit to India to Pakistani DPM/FM means a lot different than what was shared to media. Definitely the sides may have discussed the Uranium agreement and Anita may have responded to the concerns expressed by Pakistan earlier in the day but nothing has been noted in the press release issued on the telephonic conversation.
Here another matter needs clearance , who called who? Principally, Anita should have called to address the reservations of Pakistan and it should have noted in the press release. But if Pakistani DPM/FM has called Canadian counterpart, it will be seen as to cry over spilt milk only.
If there is anything else, that the others can not understand and only the intelligent officials of MOFA only can do, let the others know that.
Historically speaking, Canada was Pakistan’s primary nuclear partner in the 1960s, constructing the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP-1), a CANDU-type reactor that went critical in 1971.
Canada abruptly ended nuclear cooperation in 1976 after Pakistan refused to sign the NPT and India (using Canadian technology) conducted its first nuclear test in 1974.
The Canadian-supplied KANUPP-1 unit was officially decommissioned on August 1, 2021, after 50 years of operation, effectively ending the last physical vestige of bilateral nuclear cooperation. Pakistan moved totally towards China for nuclear energy in the projects of Chashma 1,2,3 etc.
On March 5, 2026, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “serious reservations” over a $2.6 billion agreement between Canada and India for long-term uranium supply and small modular reactor (SMR) technology. Pakistan argues that Canada’s deal allows India to divert domestic uranium to its military program, potentially accelerating the growth of its nuclear arsenal.
Pakistan is supposed to revisit its own policy and priorities as well regarding Canada in the light of above mentioned history. While Pakistan herself distanced from Canada in nuclear sector, why raising objections now on deal with India?
Also see, Pakistan has a High Commissioner of Canada who is of Pakistan origin. Mr. Tarik Khan is present in Islamabad for last many months. Why Pakistan could not use his influence in Canada to convince his government not to sign the deal with India?
Why Pakistan could not benefit from the lowest state of relations between Canada and India? We could not invite Canadian Prime Minister to visit Islamabad even.
