By News18,Shankhyaneel Sarkar

Copyright news18

India and Canada have formally restored their High Commissioners, with Canadian envoy Christopher Cooter arriving in New Delhi today and Indian High Commissioner-designate Dinesh Pattnaik due in Ottawa this weekend. The return of top diplomats signals the first tangible step in thawing relations that had been frozen for nearly two years.
The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, where the two leaders agreed to “take calibrated steps to restore stability to the relationship.”
Diplomats Return, Dialogue Resumes
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri earlier said that the decision reflects the leaders’ emphasis on shared democratic values and people-to-people ties. “Diplomatic steps will follow in due course,” he said, adding that discussions would soon resume on trade, connectivity and public engagement.
Trade negotiations, stalled amid the diplomatic chill, are also being revived, with PM Modi and Mark Carney directing their teams to restart talks at the earliest. Both sides are also reopening channels on cooperation in clean energy, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, food security and critical minerals.
PM Modi, calling his talks with Mark Carney “excellent,” said areas like energy, space, clean technology and fertilisers offer “immense potential.”
Mark Carney welcomed PM Modi to the G7, hailing India’s role in energy security and the fight against terrorism, while also flagging concerns around “transnational crime and repression.” His office later reaffirmed ties with India as “based on mutual respect, the rule of law and sovereignty.”
India-Canada Relations: From Freeze To Engagement
The restoration of envoys caps a turbulent chapter in India–Canada relations. Ties nosedived in 2023 after Ottawa accused Indian agents of involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, allegations dismissed by New Delhi as “absurd” and “motivated.” The fallout saw reciprocal expulsions of diplomats and suspension of key dialogues.