India, Canada Name New High Commissioners

On 29th August, 2025, India and Canada announced the appointment of new High Commissioners in each other’s capitals, signalling a major step towards restoring diplomatic engagement after nearly a year of strained ties.

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Dinesh K. Patnaik, a 1990-batch Indian Foreign Service officer and currently India’s Ambassador to Spain, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner to Canada and will assume charge shortly.
Canada announced the appointment of Christopher Cooter, a veteran diplomat with over 35 years of experience, as its new High Commissioner to India, reflecting Ottawa’s intent to deepen diplomatic and economic engagement with New Delhi.
Mr. Cooter has previously served as Canada’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Mauritius, and Madagascar, and was most recently Canada’s Chargé d’affaires to Israel, bringing extensive global experience to his new role.