India and Canada appoint senior diplomats after 10 months

India and Canada appointed new commissioners to each other, in the last step to restore the relations that were strained by killing the Sikh separatist leader in a suburb of Vancouver in 2023.

The former High Commissioner in India left Canada last October after Utawa was expelled, and six diplomats were linked to the killing of Hardip Singar – although Delhi insisted on his withdrawal.

On the same day, India ordered six Canadian diplomats, including the Acting High Commissioner.

The mutual expulsion of the highest diplomats last year represents the lowest unprecedented level in a friendly relationship.

Niger, who was defined as a terrorist by India in 2020, was shot by two militants outside the Sikh Temple in Vancouver in June 2023.

Relations between the two countries deteriorated after months after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed “reliable allegations” linking Indian government agents to kill Niger.

India described accusations that it was “ridiculous and enthusiastic” and accused Canada of providing shelter for the Sikhs.

At their first meeting in Canada in June, Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed to “Prime Minister Mark Carne” to return senior diplomats, a sign of ice melting in relations.

Ottawa has now appointed Christopher Cotter as a new Illustrated envoy, while India has appointed Denish Katnik, Spain’s Ambassador today, as a representative in Canada.

Canada Foreign Minister Annette Anand said that the appointment of Mr. Cotter was part of a “step -by -step approach to deepening diplomatic participation” with India.

The Indian Foreign Ministry said that Mr. Patnaik “is expected to take the mission soon.”

India sharply criticized Canada for tolerance of the pro -Halastan movement, saying that Ottawa was aware and monitoring these groups. The Gulf movement calls for an independent homeland of Sikhs in India.

There are about 770,000 Sikhs who live in Canada, the home of the largest Sikh diaspora outside the Indian Punjab state.

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