National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin met in Ottawa on Saturday and reportedly agreed to formulate a “shared work plan” to guide cooperation on national security and law enforcement issues.
They decided to have a bigger plan to implement practical cooperation to tackle common problems like transnational criminal networks, news agency PTI reported.
The move is seen as part of efforts by both sides to normalize their relations, which have come under severe strain following a diplomatic spat over the killing of Khalistan separatist Nijjar in 2023.
NSA Doval’s visit to Ottawa comes as both sides prepare for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s likely trip to India early next month.
MEA Full Statement
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday shared details of the Doval-Drouin meeting, saying both sides acknowledged progress in initiatives aimed at promoting the security and safety of their countries and citizens.
“They agreed on a joint work plan to guide bilateral cooperation on national security and law enforcement issues and enable practical cooperation on relevant priorities,” Something he said in a statement.
“During the meeting, it was agreed that each country would establish security and law enforcement liaison officers and that their respective agencies would build on the working relationship,” the MEA said in a statement.
She said this “important step” will help streamline bilateral communication and allow timely information sharing on issues of “mutual interest” such as “the illegal flow of drugs, especially fentanyl precursors, and transnational organized crime networks.”
“They also committed to formalize cybersecurity policy cooperation and information sharing on cybersecurity issues, as well as continue discussions on fraud and immigration enforcement cooperation, consistent with domestic laws and international obligations,” they said.
NSA Doval also met Canadian Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree on Friday.
Relations between India and Canada hit rock bottom following then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in 2023 of possible Indian links to the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India dismissed Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd”.
In October 2024, India recalled its high commissioner and five other diplomats after Ottawa tried to link them to the Nijjar case. India also expelled the same number of Canadian diplomats.
However, Liberal Party leader Carney’s victory in the parliamentary elections in April last year helped start the process of restoring relations.
Both sides have already sent their high commissioners to each other’s capitals.
