Canada, India Appoint New Envoys Signaling Diplomatic Thaw

Canada and India have appointed new high commissioners to each other's countries, signaling a thaw in diplomatic relations after a prolonged freeze caused by accusations linking Indian agents to the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The previous high commissioners and several diplomats were expelled amid these tensions, which began under former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's administration. The new Canadian high commissioner to India is veteran diplomat Christopher Cooter, while India has appointed seasoned diplomat Dinesh K. Patnaik as its high commissioner to Canada. This diplomatic reset follows a meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 Summit in June 2025, where both leaders agreed to pursue constructive steps to restore stability and cooperation. The appointments reflect a mutual commitment to deepen engagement and advance bilateral cooperation, including areas like trade, foreign workers, and international students. These moves aim to rebuild trust and improve ties that have significant geopolitical and economic implications for both nations.