OTTAWA — Canada and India have appointed new high commissioners, signaling a cautious reset in relations nearly a year after expelling each other’s top envoys amid accusations of transnational repression and Sikh separatism.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced Thursday that veteran diplomat Christopher Cooter will serve as Canada’s new high commissioner in New Delhi. Cooter, who has 35 years of experience, previously held postings in Israel, South Africa, and India. India’s foreign ministry confirmed that Dinesh Patnaik, currently ambassador to Spain, will take up the role in Ottawa.
The move follows Prime Minister Mark Carney’s invitation to Narendra Modi for the G7 summit in Alberta, where both sides agreed to restore their top diplomats. Analysts say the appointments show momentum in repairing relations, though trust will take time to rebuild.
Relations soured under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, particularly after Ottawa accused Indian agents of involvement in the 2023 killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The fallout led to the expulsion of dozens of diplomats and a freeze in bilateral channels.
Carney has pledged structured security talks to address ongoing concerns, a shift from the public sparring of recent years. Business groups and policy experts say Canada cannot afford to remain isolated as other G7 countries deepen ties with India.
Still, the rapprochement has drawn criticism from Sikh organizations, who argue Ottawa risks sidelining human rights for economic gains. The World Sikh Organization of Canada called on the government to ensure Indian diplomats posted here have no intelligence backgrounds and are held accountable under Canadian law.
For Canada, a priority will be restoring its full diplomatic staff in India, including trade commissioners and consular officials. Anand said strengthening services for Canadians abroad and supporting economic growth are central to the reset.
Experts expect gradual steps toward broader cooperation in critical minerals, agriculture, energy security, and technology, with a possible signal on renewed trade talks by year’s end.
Patnaik is expected to arrive in Ottawa within weeks, formally beginning his role once he presents his credentials at Rideau Hall.