• Source:JND
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India-Canada relations:  In a major development to bring diplomatic normalcy back, Canada has named a new diplomat to India, the first such appointment since bilateral relations nosedived in 2023 following a major diplomatic row. Jeff David will become the new Consul General in Mumbai, succeeding Diedrah Kelly, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand stated on Wednesday. This appointment marks the first personnel deployment by Canada to India after it pulled out 41 diplomats in October 2023, following a demand by India to ensure parity in diplomatic presence. The freeze in diplomatic staffing had severely impacted consular operations, including visa processing and educational cooperation.

Bilateral Ties Reset At G7 Summit

The move came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit that took place in Kananaskis, Alberta, in mid-June. The two leaders were said to have agreed on taking concrete steps towards a complete diplomatic reset, such as the reappointment of high commissioners, resumption of stalled free trade negotiations, and restoration of normal embassy operations. According to sources cited by The Times of India, both governments have already exchanged names of the new high commissioners, and formal announcements are expected soon. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the move as part of India's "calibrated" diplomacy to mend relations with Ottawa while keeping essential concerns, specifically about separatist extremism in view.

Background: Relations Hit Rock Bottom in 2023

Bilateral relations between the two nations plummeted in September 2023 when then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made public accusations that Indian agents had been involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen who had been listed as a terrorist by India. The allegations were forcefully rejected by New Delhi, terming them "absurd and politically motivated." This resulted in a record diplomatic confrontation, involving reciprocal expulsions of top diplomats and suspension of bilateral interactions. Visa processing was also affected, with thousands of students, tourists, and professionals involved.

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With Jeff David's deployment in Mumbai and senior-level negotiations picking up from where they left off, both countries are now set to resume ministerial and working-level engagements. Negotiations on the long-stalled India–Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) are also set to pick up, following a hiatus in 2023 during the diplomatic crisis. India has repeatedly raised concerns regarding Khalistani separatists in Canada, asking Ottawa to resolve security and sovereignty-related sensitivities. Canada, in turn, has appealed for open discussions, the rule of law, and the defence of civil liberties, a major sticking point during the previous Trudeau government.

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The thaw is likely to significantly benefit two important sectors, tourism and education. Canada continues to be a preferred destination for Indian students, and any enhancement in visa processing and consular services is likely to make people movement easier. The diplomatic reset, if maintained, could reinstall trust and invite cooperation in areas of technology, clean energy, trade, and Indo-Pacific cooperation. The posting of Jeff David to Mumbai is more than a normal diplomatic rotation but an indication of fresh intent. Though the fundamental issues are still pending, particularly India's worries about separatist extremism, the willingness to re-engage at the very top level is a positive shift in the India-Canada equation.