Dinesh K Patnaik Set to Mend India-Canada Ties

Dinesh K Patnaik, a distinguished Indian Foreign Service officer from the 1990 batch, is likely to be designated as India's new high commissioner to Canada. This appointment comes amid ongoing efforts to repair India-Canada bilateral relations that deteriorated following the assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023.

Currently India's ambassador to Spain, Patnaik is expected to facilitate the return of diplomatic personnel to each other's capitals, an initiative discussed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Their recent meeting underscored plans for constructive dialogue to stabilize relations, which have been fraught since the diplomatic expulsion following Nijjar's killing.

With Jayant Khobragade speculated to succeed Patnaik in Spain, the focus remains on rebuilding connections between the two countries. The political shift in Canada, marked by Carney's electoral success, provides a hopeful backdrop for this diplomatic reset.

(With inputs from agencies.)