New high commissioners to India, Canada named after months of strain in ties
30-Aug-2025.
In a step aimed at restoring strained ties following the killing of a Sikh separatist in 2023, India and Canada have appointed new high commissioners to each other's countries on August 28.
Last October India's previous high commissioner left Canada after Ottawa expelled him, linking six diplomats to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, though India insisted he was withdrawn.
Immediately on that same day, India responded by ordering out six senior Canadian diplomats, including the acting high commissioner.
The mutual expulsion of top diplomats last year marked an unprecedented low in an otherwise cordial relationship.
Designated a terrorist by India in 2020, Nijjar, was shot dead by two gunmen outside a Sikh temple in Vancouver in June 2023.
Relations between India and Canada deteriorated months later after former prime minister Justin Trudeau alleged "credible allegations" linking Indian government agents to Nijjar's killing.
India called the accusations "absurd and motivated" and accused Canada of providing shelter to Sikh separatists.
In June at their first meeting in Canada PM Modi and Trudeau's successor Mark Carney agreed to reinstate senior diplomats, a sign of thaw in relations.
In a step to improve good relations, Ottawa has now named Christopher Cooter as its new envoy to Delhi, while India has appointed Dinesh K Patnaik, currently ambassador to Spain, as its representative in Canada.
Anita Anand, Canada's Foreign Minister said the appointment of Mr Cooter was part of a "step-by-step approach to deepening diplomatic engagement" with India.
Mr Patnaik was "expected to take up the assignment shortly", India's foreign ministry said.
India has sharply criticised Canada for tolerating the pro-Khalistan movement, saying Ottawa has long been aware of and monitoring such groups. The Khalistan movement calls for an independent homeland for Sikhs in India.
In Canada, there are some 770,000 Sikhs living, home to the largest Sikh diaspora outside the Indian state of Punjab.
