New Delhi: Canada has made its first personnel move into India since withdrawing 41 diplomats, appointing a new head for its consulate in Mumbai – just six weeks after the countries' prime ministers met to reset strained ties.

Global Affairs Canada on Wednesday (July 30) announced four diplomatic postings, including appointments to Jordan, Australia and Libya. Among them was the notice that Jeff David “will become Consul General in Mumbai (Republic of India)”, adding that David”will replace Diedrah Kelly”.

The low-key announcement effectively marks the end of a freeze on diplomatic postings in Canadian missions in India that began in October 2023, when Canada pulled out 41 diplomats after New Delhi demanded parity in numbers.

Ties had nosedived following former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegation that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen proscribed as a Khalistani terrorist by India.

Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, where the two leaders agreed to restore high commissioners to each other’s capitals as the first step toward reviving diplomatic engagement.

While both sides had agreed to start with the high commissioners, diplomatic sources confirmed that Canada’s first actual appointment is to the Mumbai consulate.

Kelly, the previous consul general in Mumbai, left India in 2023 and has been based in Manila since December that year.

Following the initial October 2023 withdrawal, which included officials from Canadian consulates, there was a further round of expulsions. In October 2024, both countries expelled six diplomats each, including their respective high commissioners, in a tit-for-tat exchange after Canadian police alleged a “targeted campaign against Canadian citizens” involving Indian agents.

India began signalling a thaw in April this year following Carney’s election as Canadian prime minister, against the backdrop of rising global economic volatility and looming US trade tariffs.

After the Modi-Carney meeting in June, a Canadian foreign ministry delegation held talks with counterparts in India’s Ministry of External Affairs in July.

The Wire has learnt that both sides have formally sought ‘agrément’ or consent for their respective high commissioner-designates.

While the process to give approval usually takes at least three months, sources said it is being expedited as both sides are keen to move quickly. An announcement is likely by the second half of August. 

India has nominated its current envoy to Spain, Dinesh Patnaik, for the post in Ottawa.

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