New Delhi: With senior diplomat Jayant Khobragade (IFS: 1995) named as the next Ambassador of India to Spain, speculation is mounting around the next assignment of Dinesh K Patnaik, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of 1990 batch, the outgoing envoy in Madrid.
Mr Patnaik, who has been serving in Spain since November 2021, has been formally relieved of his post, although his next diplomatic role is yet to be officially announced.
Patnaik Likely Headed to Ottawa
According to people familiar with the matter, Mr Patnaik is expected to be appointed as India’s next High Commissioner to Canada, a key posting amid recent efforts to restore diplomatic normalcy between New Delhi and Ottawa.
The development follows the June 18 bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Alberta.
The leaders reportedly discussed the early return of high commissioners to each other’s capitals, signaling a thaw in a relationship strained since 2024.
Read Also: Senior IFS Jayant Khobragade Appointed as India’s Next Ambassador to Spain – Know More About Him
Diplomatic Reset After Prolonged Tension
India – Canada relations came under intense strain last year after Ottawa alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a charge New Delhi strongly denied. The controversy led to the mutual expulsion of diplomats and a freeze in high-level engagement.
The recent Modi – Carney meeting, their first formal bilateral interaction, outlined “calibrated and constructive steps” aimed at reestablishing stable diplomatic channels. The appointment of a seasoned hand like Patnaik is seen as a crucial step in executing this roadmap.
A Veteran Diplomat with Global Experience
IFS Patnaik brings over three decades of diplomatic experience across diverse geographies.
His previous postings include–
- Ambassador to Morocco and Cambodia
- Deputy High Commissioner to the UK (London)
- Senior roles in missions in Beijing, Dhaka, Vienna, and Geneva
- Director General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
Mr Patnaik is known for his ability to manage sensitive diplomatic assignments, particularly those involving complex political dynamics and cultural diplomacy.
Spain Posting Nears End as Canada Role Looms
Having served in Madrid since 2021, Mr Patnaik played an active role in expanding India–Spain relations in trade, culture, and academic collaboration. His expected move to Canada now comes at a time when both countries are navigating a delicate period of trust-building and institutional reengagement.
While the MEA has yet to officially confirm the Canada posting, sources suggest the process has been underway since mid-June, in coordination with developments at the G7.
