National Times Bureau (Rajeev Sharma): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday said India and Canada have agreed to work together on a “new chapter” in bilateral ties, with counter-terrorism and organised crime forming the core of their renewed cooperation.
The statement came after National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin in New Delhi for wide-ranging discussions. The two sides reviewed security cooperation, counter-terrorism efforts, and the challenge of transnational organised crime.
New Delhi has often accused Canada of overlooking Khalistan separatist groups and their nexus with crime syndicates. Indian officials insist these networks not only push extremist propaganda abroad but also finance organised criminal activity. Against this backdrop, the NSA-level talks are seen as a crucial attempt to keep security coordination moving despite past tensions.
According to the MEA, both sides agreed to reinforce existing channels of engagement and chart out priority areas for future cooperation. The meeting also touched upon regional and global issues of shared concern.
While no breakthrough was announced, officials noted that New Delhi and Ottawa are committed to adopting a collaborative approach and working closely on the way forward.
India–Canada ties had nosedived in 2023 after then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. The accusation, rejected by New Delhi as “absurd and politically motivated,” led to diplomatic expulsions, stalled trade talks, suspended visa services, and recalls of High Commissioners. The row also created uncertainty for Canada’s large Indian diaspora, particularly students and migrant workers.
The situation shifted with a change of leadership in Ottawa this year. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s June meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the tone for reconciliation, providing the backdrop for the latest NSA consultations. The MEA underlined that the Doval–Drouin dialogue also built on understandings reached between the two leaders.
