India is striving to establish a steady and structured partnership with Canada—one that remains unaffected by political shifts or external pressures, according to India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Dinesh Patnaik. Speaking at the India Insights Forum hosted by the Canada-India Business Council (C-IBC) in Toronto, Patnaik emphasized that the key goal is to create a framework for bilateral dialogue that endures regardless of changing circumstances.
He explained that both nations need a predictable and institutionalized relationship, one reinforced through consistent engagement and regular meetings under formal mechanisms. “Today it’s diaspora politics, tomorrow it could be geopolitics. But such factors shouldn’t derail our progress,” he remarked, stressing that insulating bilateral ties from external disturbances would be the real strength of the relationship.
Patnaik highlighted that the two governments have already devised a detailed plan in consultation with Global Affairs Canada and other stakeholders. “The framework exists. Now, we must activate it,” he said, noting that several joint working groups already address areas such as energy, education, agriculture, and nuclear cooperation. According to him, these mechanisms can foster an environment of trust and predictability, helping both nations navigate challenges with stability.
The envoy also pointed out that the ultimate goal is to institutionalize relations so that they remain consistent, regardless of shifts in political leadership. “It’s a win-win for all if we maintain a structured, predictable, and productive partnership,” he added.
While Patnaik refrained from directly mentioning the ongoing tensions linked to pro-Khalistan elements in Canada, his remarks come at a time when India-Canada relations remain strained. Ties deteriorated sharply after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in 2023 that Indian agents may have been connected to the killing of Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar—a claim India dismissed as baseless and politically motivated.
The issue continues to cast a shadow over diplomatic relations, with an upcoming trial of four Indian nationals in British Columbia expected to test the resilience of the bilateral relationship. Nonetheless, India’s renewed diplomatic outreach, as articulated by Patnaik, signals a clear intent to rebuild trust and ensure that future cooperation with Canada rests on stable and institutional foundations rather than fluctuating political winds.
