Overview

• Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Mark Carney agreed at the Kananaskis G7 summit to pursue constructive steps to stabilize India-Canada relations, including the early return of envoys.
• Patnaik, a 1990-batch Indian Foreign Service officer currently serving as India’s envoy to Spain, is expected to be appointed high commissioner in Ottawa.
• The agrément process is under way, marking the first step toward reinstating an Indian high commissioner in Canada since ties collapsed over the 2023 Nijjar case.
• Jayant Khobragade, India’s ambassador to ASEAN, is slated to succeed Patnaik in Spain once formal approval is secured.
• Diplomatic relations deteriorated in 2023 after Canada alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, leading to mutual diplomat recalls and expulsions.