Canada names new envoy to India as tensions between 2 countries thaw

The federal government has appointed a new envoy to India, more than 10 months after security officials accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of espionage and violence, setting off a tense diplomatic dispute.

On Thursday, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced that veteran diplomat Christopher Cooter will become high commissioner for Canada to India.

“The appointments are an important step towards restoring necessary diplomatic services to citizens and businesses in both countries,” said the announcement. 

The two countries expelled each other’s high commissioners, senior diplomats who are similar to ambassadors, last fall after the RCMP accused the Indian government of playing a role in a network of violence in Canada, including homicides and extortion.

Canada alleged Indian diplomats were collecting information about Canadians and passing it on to organized crime members to attack Canadians.

Two years ago, then-prime minister Justin Trudeau announced in the House of Commons that Canada had evidence linking Indian agents to the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in B.C.

Renewed ties

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has worked to renew ties with India, pointing to its growing economy, its role in supply chains and the sheer number of Canadians with ties to the country.

The two countries have also promised to work on reinstating visa services. 

Carney came under fire when he invited Modi to Canada for the G7 meetings in June.

That same month, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service published its annual report warning that India continues to be a foreign interference concern.

“Canada must remain vigilant about continued foreign interference conducted by the Government of India, not only within ethnic, religious and cultural communities but also in Canada’s political system,” the report reads.

According to his biography, Cooter served most recently as Canada’s chargé d’affaires to Israel and as Canada’s high commissioner to South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Mauritius and Madagascar.

He also served as first secretary to the Canadian High Commission to India, Nepal and Bhutan from 1998 to 2000.