Reset In Ties? Canada Names New Diplomat To Mumbai

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India-West News Desk

OTTAWA – India and Canada appear to be taking tentative steps toward restoring their diplomatic ties, with the Canadian government announcing the appointment of Jeff David as its new Consul General in Mumbai after months of strained relations.

David’s appointment follows a recent meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Mark Carney at the G7 summit in Alberta, where both leaders pledged to renew diplomatic engagement, including the appointment of new high commissioners in New Delhi and Ottawa. Despite that pledge, Canada’s latest list of diplomatic assignments did not include a new High Commissioner to India.

A career diplomat, Jeff David joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2003 after graduating from Western University’s Ivey Business School. He has held multiple postings abroad, including in Afghanistan and China, and most recently served as Consul General in Chongqing from 2017 to 2021. He replaces Diedrah Kelly in the Mumbai office.

Tensions between the two countries have remained high since last year, when both scaled back their diplomatic missions amid allegations of political interference. The recall of high commissioners and the use of interim envoys left the relationship at a diplomatic low.