India and Canada have appointed new high commissioners to each other’s countries as part of efforts to restore bilateral ties, which have been affected by the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader, in Vancouver in 2023. The appointment follows a series of diplomatic expulsions that escalated tensions between the two nations.
India’s previous high commissioner to Canada departed in October 2023 after Ottawa expelled him, linking six diplomats to Nijjar’s murder. India refuted this characterization, stating that he was withdrawn voluntarily. In retaliation, India ordered the expulsion of six senior Canadian diplomats, including their acting high commissioner, marking a significant downturn in relations that had previously been seen as cordial.
Nijjar, designated a terrorist by India in 2020, was shot outside a Sikh temple in Vancouver in June 2023. Months later, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged credible links between Indian government agents and Nijjar’s killing, which India labeled as “absurd” and motivated, while accusing Canada of harboring Sikh separatists.
In a recent development, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and newly appointed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met in June, agreeing to reinstate senior diplomats, indicating a potential thaw in relations. Canada has appointed Christopher Cooter as its new envoy to India, while India has named Dinesh K Patnaik, the current ambassador to Spain, as its high commissioner to Canada.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand mentioned that Cooter’s appointment is part of a “step-by-step approach to deepening diplomatic engagement” with India. The Indian foreign ministry stated that Patnaik is expected to take up his assignment shortly. Relations have been further complicated by accusations that Canada tolerates pro-Khalistan activities, advocating for an independent Sikh homeland in India, amidst a significant population of approximately 770,000 Sikhs residing in Canada.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gj5gl6e94o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss