India and Canada Appoint New High Commissioners After Diplomatic Dispute
After ten months of strained ties and the expulsion of diplomats following the killing of a Sikh separatist in Canada, India and Canada have appointed new high commissioners to each other’s capitals, signaling a thaw in relations.
India and Canada have named new high commissioners to each other's capitals, ending a ten-month stalemate that followed mutual diplomatic expulsions over the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In October, Ottawa expelled six Indian diplomats after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were "credible allegations" linking agents of the Indian government to Nijjar's death. New Delhi then ordered the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats.
The dispute marked a low point in otherwise amicable ties between the two democracies, which have significant trade and diaspora links.
Restoring Diplomatic Channels
During bilateral talks in Canada in June, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to gradually restore senior diplomatic representation.
Following that accord, Ottawa has appointed Christopher Cooter as its next high commissioner to India, while India has chosen Dinesh K Patnaik, currently ambassador to Spain, as its envoy to Canada.
Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand described Mr. Cooter's posting as "a step-by-step approach to deepening diplomatic engagement" with India. New Delhi said Mr. Patnaik would assume his duties shortly.
Lingering Tensions
India has long criticized Canada for tolerating pro-Khalistan groups calling for a separate Sikh homeland, while Canada hosts the largest Sikh diaspora outside Punjab, with around 770,000 people of Sikh heritage.
The appointment of new high commissioners after ten months of diplomatic freeze signals both sides' intent to rebuild trust and cooperation.
This topic was reported by BBC.
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