India and Canada have developed a shared work plan for cooperation on national security and law enforcement issues and will appoint security and law-enforcement liaison officers to address issues of mutual concern, including drug trafficking and transnational criminal networks.
NSA Ajit Doval. (or)The steps, agreed at a meeting between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin in Ottawa on Saturday, are part of efforts by both sides to normalize relations after a diplomatic row over the killing of a Khalistani separatist in 2023.
Doval’s visit was part of regular bilateral security dialogue between the two sides, according to a readout from the Ministry of External Affairs.
In addition to acknowledging progress on initiatives “aimed at supporting the safety and security of their countries and citizens”, the two sides “agreed on a shared work plan to guide bilateral cooperation on national security and law enforcement issues”.
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Both sides agreed to “enable practical cooperation on their respective priorities” and appoint security and law-enforcement liaison officers. They also agreed that their respective companies would develop a working relationship, the readout said.
“This important step will help streamline bilateral communications and enable timely information sharing on issues of mutual concern to Canada and India, such as the illicit flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl precursors, and international organized crime networks,” Readout added.
India and Canada It also agreed to continue discussions on formalizing cooperation in cyber security policy and information-sharing on cyber security matters and cooperation on fraud and immigration enforcement, consistent with domestic laws and international obligations.
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Doval Also met Canada’s Public Safety Minister Gary Anandsangari on Saturday.
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Indo-Canada relations soured in September 2023 after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian government agents were involved in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijja earlier in the year –– an allegation New Delhi dismissed as “absurd”.
With relations at their lowest level in decades, both sides expelled each other’s diplomats and traded accusations of Khalistani elements and criminal gang activity in Canada. Both sides began rebuilding security ties in late 2024, with calmer communications between intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies. Following the election of Mark Carney as Prime Minister of Canada, both sides have taken various steps to rebuild bilateral relations, including engagement within security agencies.
