OTTAWA/NEW DELHI: Canada and India have both named new High Commissioners to their capitals in a big move to ease diplomatic tensions. This action comes over a year after a diplomatic dispute led to the removal of top diplomats from both nations.
Anita Anand, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that Christopher Cooter, a senior diplomat, will be the new High Commissioner in New Delhi. The job had been open since October of last year. At the same time, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that Dinesh Patnaik, who is currently India’s ambassador to Spain, will be the new High Commissioner to Canada.
The appointments are a direct result of an agreement signed in June at the G7 Summit between the leaders of Canada and India, Mark Carney and Narendra Modi. The leaders committed to “deepen diplomatic engagement step by step” and bring back the diplomatic services that their people and industries need. Cooter has worked as a diplomat for 35 years, including a job in New Delhi from 1998 to 2000.
This thaw in diplomatic relations comes at a time when economic tensions are rising, especially with the US. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has put a 50% tax on Indian goods because India buys energy from Russia. As part of his larger plan to limit trade, Trump also raised duties on certain Canadian goods to 35% on August 1.
In 2023, then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau openly accused the Indian government of being involved in the death of a Canadian Sikh leader. This started a diplomatic fight between India and Canada. India has strongly disputed these claims and, in turn, accused Canada of protecting dangerous extremists. The new Canadian administration led by Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a change in focus, putting more emphasis on economic issues and finding new trading partners, especially because of the US tariffs.