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David McKinnon

@dbmckinnon.bsky.social
103 followers 60 following 59 posts

Recovering diplomat (Indo-Pacific). Eclectic enthusiasms. Former Canadian high commissioner to Sri Lanka and Maldives.

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Reposted by David McKinnon
CIPS / CÉPI @cepi-cips.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Have you voted for the CIPS Best Blog Award 2026? 🏅 Wondering who's on the shortlist? ➡️ Canada’s Place in a Disordered World: What’s Next for Canadian Diplomacy? By @dbmckinnon.bsky.social Check out the full shortlist >>> www.cips-cepi.ca/2026/09/15/c...
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
We said goodbye to our beloved Ozzie yesterday after 16 years. A gentle, loving and loyal part of the family in Canberra, Colombo, and Ottawa. He made each place his own, chasing kangaroos, thalagoyas, and squirrels in his day. Sleep well, our boy.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
If you're not in #SriLanka and looking to contribute to #CycloneDitwah relief, @wfp.org is taking donations to support its great work there. donate.wfp.org/1244/donation/…
donate.wfp.org
Donate Now | United Nations World Food Programme
Saving lives, changing lives
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
#Kottu with a view. Lovely to be back in #SriLanka
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Reposted by David McKinnon
lowbrow @lowbrow.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
We've made it on to bluesky! Find the full articles over on lowbrow.au or on our substack!
lowbrow.au
Lowbrow
Explore approachable art writing, exhibition reviews, and cultural essays from the Melbourne art scene, celebrating emerging artists and writers.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
An atmospheric Lodhi Rd, #Delhi on a hazy cool November morning. #India
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Reposted by David McKinnon
Scott Horton @robertscotthorton.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
Ed Luce's FT column this morning is pure brilliance.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
Superb #breakfast in #Mostar #BosniaHercegovina with an iconic view to match. #SriLanka has a European rival in the breakfast league. Www.urban-Mostar.com
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 19/07/2025
Summer in #Ottawa! My weekend’s work is cut out. #Raspberries are local and the #apricots from #Niagara. The preserves will be a welcome bit of summer in the basement when winter inevitably comes.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
From me. The #G7 in Kananaskis was a significant opportunity to kickstart a reset the Canada-India relationship. Hazards remain, but each can be useful to the other as global turmoil shows no sign of abating. @asiapacificfdn.bsky.social
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
The egg did seem big. A double yolk is supposed to bring good luck. No question we could use some wherever it can be found…
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Business like and diplomatic--nice change. Return of high commissioners suggests both sides want an off ramp from the mayhem of the last two years. At the same time, #G7 stmt on transnational repression (pm.gc.ca/en/news/stat...) will be noticed in Delhi. #CanadaIndia www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/read...
pm.gc.ca
Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed the importance of Canada-India ties, based upon mutual respect, the rule of law, and a commitment to the principle of sovereignty and territori...
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
Took advantage of the train today to finish @vajra.me’s “The Saint of Bright Doors”. Totally unexpected, and remarkable on a number of levels. English writing coming out of #SriLanka continues to have a great run.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
Only my third visit to #NiagaraFalls, and my first in summer. Notwithstanding all the endless tourist kitsch nearby, the Canadian falls did not disappoint.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
With a quote from me. #CanadaIndia #G7 #Canada #India p.dw.com/p/4vrDt
p.dw.com
Modi's G7 visit: Can India, Canada reset strained ties? – DW – 06/13/2025
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to Canada for the G7 summit presents a rare opportunity for high-level bilateral engagement after ties were marred by tensions and mistrust over killings of ...
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
New from me. Good that PM Carney let Canada’s interests guide the invitation to Indian PM Modi to attend the #G7, but the oversimplified response from much of the Canadian commentariat suggests we have a way to go before we can have a serious conversation about what we face.
theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: Values alone cannot build serious foreign policy
In an increasingly disordered world, Canada needs to beef up its international relationships
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Lovely recognition of the Casualty Identification Program @CanadianForces This small team of a forensic anthropologist and historians (incl. my daughter @alxmck.bsky.social !) keeps up a promise made long ago to the families of #Canada's 27,000 war missing.
ctvnews.ca
Family ‘blown away’ by impressive work linking Canadian soldier killed during First World War with unidentified grave
The family of a Canadian soldier with no known grave for more than a century is impressed and thankful for the work by a team of historical researchers to identify their relative’s last resting place.
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Reposted by David McKinnon
CIPS / CÉPI @cepi-cips.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
📢Blog par @dbmckinnon.bsky.social - La place du Canada dans un monde désordonné : Quelle est la prochaine étape pour la diplomatie canadienne ? Une politique étrangère crédible et durable doit refléter ce que nous sommes, ce qui nous tient à cœur et ce que nous défendons...🔗https://bit.ly/4kRbWB7
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Reposted by David McKinnon
CIPS / CÉPI @cepi-cips.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
📢New blog by @dbmckinnon.bsky.social - Canada’s Place in a Disordered World: What’s Next for Canadian Diplomacy? A credible and enduring foreign policy will reflect who we are, what we care about, and what we stand for... 🔗https://bit.ly/4kRbWB7
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Absolutely worth reading this piece by Brahma Chellaney on Trump’s dealings with India. The extraordinary self-destruction of US power and influence in the Indo-Pacific continues unabated. Art of the deal, only the best etc etc.
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Reposted by David McKinnon
CIPS / CÉPI @cepi-cips.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Nous sommes impatients de participer à la conférence de lundi prochain ! Avec 3 panels : 🔷Dans quelle mesure pouvons-nous compter sur nos alliances ? 🔷Comment devrions-nous nous engager avec le reste du monde ? 🔷En quoi cela change-t-il notre diplomatie ? >>> bit.ly/3EXmijn
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Reposted by David McKinnon
CIPS / CÉPI @cepi-cips.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
We're excited for next Monday's conference! Featuring 3 panels: 🔷How Much Can We Rely on Our Traditional Alliances? 🔷How Should We Engage the Rest of the World? 🔷How Does This Change Our Diplomacy? @jacquelinebest.bsky.social @vinanadjibulla.bsky.social @dbmckinnon.bsky.social >>> bit.ly/438FST4
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
I am not exactly a church going guy, but I make an exception for special occasions. Please vote! #CanadaElections2025 #CanadaVotes
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 27/04/2025
Shocking. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
9 people killed, others injured after vehicle drives into Vancouver street festival crowd | CBC News
Vancouver police say nine people were killed and multiple others injured after the driver of a black SUV drove into a crowd at a street festival in Vancouver on Saturday evening.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Whoever wins April 28 must make the case for #Canada to re-engage — effectively and pragmatically — with India. #India is far too important to our economic and security future to ignore. My take, via @asiapacificfdn.bsky.social #canpoli #foreignpolicy www.asiapacific.ca/publication/...
asiapacific.ca
The Case for Re-engaging India
Every assumption we’ve made about Canada’s place in the world over the past 80 years is open to question. We can no longer rely on others to safeguard our
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
Apart from the arrival of spring in #Ottawa, Easter heralded another big change in our house: the arrival of six month old Patty. 15 year old Ozzie, the resident miniature poodle. does not yet seem to be as charmed as we are. He is getting more sleep, though.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Once the snow recedes, it doesn’t take long for some colourful reminders of the exuberant #Ottawa spring and summer to appear. I haven’t put away the snow shovel yet, however.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
A bit early to be dreaming of a white Easter? #Spring #Ottawa
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
The Rideau Fallsbin #Ottawa onnMatch 2 and March 17. #Spring is arriving.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
A @news.dw.com piece by Murali Krishnan on the prospects for Canada India relations in this rapidly evolving world With a quote from me. p.dw.com/p/4rrc3
p.dw.com
With Trudeau gone, can Canada and India patch up relations? – DW – 03/17/2025
Mark Carney has replaced Justin Trudeau as Canada's prime minister, giving Ottawa and New Delhi a chance to end their diplomatic ice age. But the dispute over the assassination of a Sikh leader has ye...
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
This is quite something. Both tragic and almost funny. Not sure the UK should get off so easily, though, given Brave Sir Robin’s recent performance.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
And a good morning it is in #SriLanka. Nothing quite like the simplicity of buffalo curd and kithul treacle to help kickstart the day.
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Reposted by David McKinnon
derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
I can. In fact, the Canadian version is so great, I can't think of an American equivalent. 🧵
Tomi Lahren on Twitter writes: "Can you think of a Canadian product that’s better than an American one?

Honestly curious."
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
In these crazy days, this sober and penetrating analysis from @ezrakleinbot.bsky.social is very welcome. I hope Canadian policy makers—and the Canadian Trump acolytes—hear this. “Trump is acting like a king because he’s too weak to govern like a president.” 1/3 podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com
Don't Believe Him
Podcast Episode · The Ezra Klein Show · 2025-02-02 · 14m
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Reposted by David McKinnon
Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa @sanjanah.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
This echoes guidance given to human rights defenders working in countries defined by a significant democratic deficit, & under authoritarian regimes that murdered, abducted, & tortured with impunity. I should know. I grew up, work, & live in one. That it now applies to US is frankly beyond surreal.
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Reposted by David McKinnon
Edward Luce @edwardluce.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
US will be far more stable after it's halted the daily tsunami of fentanyl and illegal immigrants coming from Canada.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
A great read from the indomitable @yuanyiz.bsky.social.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
"When she released her report, she read a prepared statement, stood up, announced she’d take no questions, turned around and disappeared behind a black curtain." That says it all. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
theglobeandmail.com
Globe editorial: A foreign interference report that keeps Canadians in the dark
The Hogue inquiry has managed to shed almost no light on election meddling, and on what the Trudeau government did about it
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
A #winter Sunday morning in our neighbourhood in #Ottawa.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
www.linkedin.com/posts/david-...
linkedin.com
David McKinnon on LinkedIn: I"m looking forward to contributing my perspective to the important work…
I"m looking forward to contributing my perspective to the important work of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
One last espresso at the airport before our flight from #Rome. What a joy as a coffee bore to spend 10 days in a country where this is as effortless as in, say, #Melbourne or #Canberra.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
On the Frecciarossa Roma/Firenze. As a Canadian, it’s good to be reminded that trains can go faster than cars.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
Not too many morning runs like this. The Tiber, Circus Maximus, Colosseum, and the Forum. Picturesque decaying monuments of the most powerful empire of its time. I would never get tired of this if I lived in #Rome, although my pace would (hopefully) improve without photo stops.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
"Leadership races as membership drives are a terrible idea at the best of times, but if ever there were a time to let the caucus choose who should lead them, it is now." Great perspective from @acoyne.bsky.social. But is anyone listening? www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: With the country under attack, Trudeau leaves it to drift – for months
A lame-duck PM, a shuttered Parliament, a government without legitimacy, and a ruling party more concerned with fighting each other than fighting Donald Trump
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Random things you find in #Rome: Bernini’s c1650 fountain of the four rivers, Piazza Navona. The figures represent the Ganges, the Danube, the Nile, and la Plata. The head of the Nile is covered as its source was unknown at the time. Taken this evening.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 04/01/2025
Not really the tundra. This time of year, it is not obvious that #Ottawa is effectively as close to the Equator as the North Pole. #YOW
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 29/12/2024
Niall Ferguson in great form . Worth reading, including (or especially) by Canadians. — Novelists and filmmakers have long developed alternative histories of major conflicts that should serve as warnings for complacent Americans. www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
bloomberg.com
If You Think World War III Is Unimaginable, Read This
Novelists and filmmakers have long developed alternative histories of major conflicts that should serve as warnings for complacent Americans.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
In anything other than the most highly centralized Westminster parliamentary system in the world, the Liberals would have a new leader and Canada a new prime minister before mid week. In fact, this would almost certainly have happened months ago. Democracy (and Canadians) are not well served.
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David McKinnon @dbmckinnon.bsky.social · 15/12/2024
No need to go to #Roswell (or New Jersey...) to look for a #UFO. This is the so-called Spaceship House in Albuquerque, #NewMexico, also known as the studio and residence of architect Bart Prince.
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