Canada Appoints New Consul General in Mumbai Amidst Diplomatic Tensions with India

New Diplomatic Appointment

Ottawa: Canada has officially appointed Jeff David as the new Consul General in Mumbai, marking its first diplomatic move towards India since the tensions escalated last October when New Delhi recalled its envoy and expelled an equal number of Canadian diplomats.

The announcement was made by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on Wednesday.

David, who has previously held positions in Afghanistan and China, will take over from Diedrah Kelly, who departed from India earlier this year.

This appointment follows a significant meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, in June. This was their first interaction since Carney took office in May 2025.

During their discussions, both leaders agreed to appoint new high commissioners to facilitate the resumption of regular services for citizens and businesses in both nations.

Relations between India and Canada have been strained since former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claims in September 2023 regarding a possible involvement of Indian agents in the assassination of Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023.

India, which had labeled Nijjar a terrorist in 2020, vehemently rejected Trudeau's accusations as 'absurd' and 'motivated.'

In response to the allegations, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and withdrew its High Commissioner Sanjay Verma along with other targeted officials from Canada.

India accused Trudeau's administration of permitting pro-Khalistani factions to operate from Canadian territory.

With Carney now in charge, New Delhi expressed hope for mending ties with Canada based on 'mutual trust and sensitivity.'