Canada Appoints Christopher Cooter as New High Commissioner to India

Pic source: X post from @CanHCZA

In a significant diplomatic development, Canada has appointed veteran diplomat Christopher Cooter as its new High Commissioner to India. This appointment comes nearly a year after India-Canada ties cratered, and New Delhi withdrew its high commissioner and five other diplomats from Ottawa.

Cooter brings with him over 35 years of diplomatic experience, having served most recently as Canada’s Chargé d’affaires to Israel and as High Commissioner to South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Mauritius, and Madagascar. Notably, Cooter also served as First Secretary at the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi from 1998 to 2000, covering India, Nepal and Bhutan

The appointment of Cooter as High Commissioner to India follows a commitment made by Prime Ministers Mark Carney and Narendra Modi at the G7 Summit last June to appoint new High Commissioners to Canada and India. This move is seen as a step-by-step approach to deepening diplomatic engagement and advancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

According to Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, “The appointment of a new High Commissioner reflects Canada’s step-by-step approach to deepening diplomatic engagement and advancing bilateral cooperation with India. This appointment is an important development toward restoring services for Canadians while strengthening the bilateral relationship to support Canada’s economy.”

India has appointed Dinesh K. Patnaik, a seasoned diplomat and currently India’s ambassador to Spain, as its new High Commissioner to Canada. Patnaik is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

The appointments of Cooter and Patnaik are expected to play a crucial role in restoring necessary diplomatic services to citizens and businesses in both countries. This development comes after a prolonged diplomatic row between India and Canada.