India’s newly appointed high commissioner to Canada officially assumed his duties on Wednesday during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, following a series of notable visits by Canadian officials.
Vina Nadjibulla from the Asia Pacific Foundation remarked, “India has shown keen interest in rebuilding this relationship. Reinstating mutual trust and navigating national security concerns will require time and effort.”
Dinesh Patnaik, India’s new High Commissioner, was among six new envoys who presented their credentials to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon at Rideau Hall on Wednesday.
During the ceremony, Simon highlighted the enduring principles of diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of building and repairing relationships through dialogue.
Tensions between Canada and India escalated after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implicated New Delhi in the assassination of a Sikh activist near Vancouver in June 2023. The situation worsened in October 2024 when the RCMP linked acts of violence against Canadians to the highest levels of the Indian government.
To address the strained relations, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, prompting a reciprocal expulsion of Canadian diplomats by India. In a positive development, the relationship began to thaw in June when Prime Minister Mark Carney invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit in Alberta, leading to the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
David Morrison, the deputy minister of Global Affairs Canada, recently visited New Delhi for pre-foreign office consultations, signaling a step towards reactivating dialogue mechanisms between the two nations.
India hinted at the possibility of restoring Canada’s full diplomatic staff in the country, a significant priority for Canada, following a partial withdrawal of diplomatic protections in 2023. Both countries have agreed to address capacity-related issues at their missions and consulates, as stated in a summary of Morrison’s visit by India’s foreign ministry.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is scheduled to visit India in the near future, according to her office.