Canada has officially appointed Jeff David as the new Consul General in Mumbai, marking a pivotal moment in mending fractured ties with India. The announcement, made by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, signals Ottawa’s intent to turn the page after a prolonged diplomatic rift.
Jeff David replaces Diedrah Kelly, and his appointment is the first major diplomatic gesture since 2023, when relations between the two countries sharply deteriorated. The reset comes on the heels of a high-profile meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney at the G7 Summit in June. During the meeting, both leaders agreed to designate new high commissioners, paving the way for a return to normal diplomatic operations.
In a formal statement, the Canadian government underscored the shared values of mutual respect, the rule of law, and a commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity as foundations of their partnership. The move is expected to restore essential services for citizens and boost business interactions between the two countries.
India-Canada relations hit a severe low in 2023 after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi of potential involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen labeled a terrorist by India. The fallout led India to expel six Canadian diplomats and recall its High Commissioner, Sanjay Verma, alongside several other officials who were named in Canada’s probe.
Canada had identified Verma as a “person of interest” in the case, prompting India to reject the claims outright and accuse Ottawa of politicizing an internal security matter. Diplomatic ties, already frosty, froze further as both sides scaled back operations.
Trudeau’s departure from office opened the door for fresh dialogue. New Delhi welcomed the opportunity to reengage based on “mutual trust and sensitivity.” The appointment of Jeff David and the planned exchange of new high commissioners signal a willingness to reestablish stable diplomatic footing.
With David now stationed in Mumbai, both governments are expected to gradually normalize consular and trade services—a crucial step toward bridging one of the most contentious periods in India-Canada relations in recent memory.
