India, Canada continue to rebuild ties after political reset

While the newly named high commissioners are expected to assume their posts in New Delhi and Ottawa later this month, high level contacts are possible this year as the two countries attempt to gradually improve their relations.

The appointment of the envoys were announced late last month, with Dinesh Patnaik named as India’s new high commissioner in Ottawa and Christopher Cooter in New Delhi.

Nadjibulla, who heads the Canadian component of the ongoing track 1.5 dialogue between the two countries, said she was looking at “potential marker” of the improvement including a possible meeting between Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly later this month.

There will be other opportunities that will be watched for contacts between the leadership of the two countries including at the G20 leaders’ summit in Johannesburg in South Africa, where Modi and Carney are expected to be present.

Planning for potential bilateral visits by ministers will only commence once the high commissioners have taken charge.

The track 1.5 process is the Canada-India dialogue series with organised by APF Canada and the New Delhi-headquartered Ananta Aspen Centre, with participation of different stakeholders, including government representatives.

Their first meeting was in February this year in New Delhi and as it was supported by both Governments, may have proven the first ice-breaker after diplomatic relations cratered in October 2024.

That month, India withdrew six diplomats from Canada after Ottawa asked New Delhi to waive their immunity so they could e questioned in connection with an investigation into violent criminal activity in the country.