Dinesh K. Patnaik, a seasoned diplomat from the 1990 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), has been appointed as India's next High Commissioner to Canada. This appointment, made public on August 28, 2025, comes after a 9-month vacancy in the position, signaling a potential reset in relations between the two countries. Patnaik, who is presently serving as India's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, is expected to take up his new assignment in Ottawa shortly.
Patnaik is a career diplomat with extensive experience spanning over 30 years in various challenging roles. He has served in Indian missions in Geneva, Dhaka, Beijing, and Vienna. His previous ambassadorships include Cambodia (2012-2015) and Morocco (2015-2016). He also served as the Deputy High Commissioner of India to London from 2016 to 2018. At the Ministry of External Affairs headquarters, he has served in the Europe West, External Publicity, Africa, and UN Divisions. He also held the position of Director General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
Dinesh K. Patnaik holds a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kolkata. Additionally, he possesses a Master's degree in Advanced International Studies from the University of Vienna and a Certificate in International Studies from the Diplomatic Academy, Vienna. He is married to Poonam, an international educator, and they have two daughters.
Patnaik's appointment as High Commissioner to Canada is particularly significant given the recent strain in India-Canada relations. The relationship between the two countries experienced a downturn following allegations made by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in September 2023, concerning the involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has dismissed these charges as "absurd". The diplomatic fallout led to a pause in trade deal talks, a downgrade in diplomatic relations, and the expulsion of diplomats from both sides. New Delhi withdrew its previous envoy to Ottawa, Sanjay Verma, along with five other officials, last October.
Against this backdrop, Patnaik's appointment is viewed as a step towards normalizing bilateral relations. It comes nearly nine months after India withdrew its previous High Commissioner. The Canadian side is expected to name Christopher Cooter as the new High Commissioner to India.
Despite the recent challenges, Canada and India share deep-rooted ties with over 75 years of diplomatic relations. In 2018, the relationship was formally designated as a "Strategic Partnership," encompassing ministerial dialogues on foreign policy, trade and investment, finance, and energy. People-to-people connections are also strong, with India being Canada's largest source country for immigration. In 2024, there were 392,810 study permit holders with Indian citizenship in Canada. As of the 2021 census, over 1.8 million Canadians are of Indian origin. In 2024, India was Canada's seventh-largest goods and services trading partner, with two-way trade reaching $30.9 billion.
Both countries are working to move past diplomatic turbulence. A recent conversation between India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Canada's new Foreign Minister Anita Anand signals renewed engagement and a commitment to restoring a mutually respectful relationship. Areas of potential collaboration include trade, education, defense, energy, and the Indo-Pacific region. With the appointment of Dinesh K. Patnaik as the new High Commissioner, India hopes to rebuild ties with Canada based on mutual trust and sensitivity.
