India and Canada have agreed to significantly deepen cooperation on national security and law enforcement, with a renewed focus on protecting citizens and countering transnational threats, following high-level talks between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart in Ottawa.
The discussions took place during Doval’s two-day visit to Canada, where he met Nathalie Drouin, Deputy Clerk and National Security and Intelligence Adviser to the Canadian Prime Minister, as part of the regular bilateral security dialogue. The visit comes ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s planned visit to India in March, during which trade agreements and broader bilateral ties are expected to be discussed.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both sides acknowledged progress in initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security of their citizens and agreed on a shared work plan to guide future cooperation on national security and law enforcement. The agreement is seen as a key step in resetting India–Canada ties after a period of strain, particularly over New Delhi’s concerns regarding the activities of violent extremist groups, including Khalistani-linked networks.
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Fentanyl, Organised Crime And Cybersecurity
One of the most significant outcomes of the meeting was the decision to post security and law-enforcement liaison officers in each other’s countries. These officers will help strengthen communication channels, improve coordination between agencies, and enable real-time intelligence sharing on issues of mutual concern. Officials said the move would enhance cooperation against transnational organised crime networks and the illegal trafficking of narcotics, with a specific focus on fentanyl precursors.
The MEA said both countries also agreed to build on existing working-level relationships between their respective agencies and to move towards formalising cooperation on cybersecurity policy. Information sharing on cyber-related threats will be stepped up, while discussions will continue on collaboration in areas such as fraud prevention and immigration enforcement, in line with domestic legal frameworks and international obligations. Doval also held meetings with Canadian Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree, reinforcing the emphasis on practical, results-oriented cooperation.