India, Canada to post law-enforcement liaison officers to tackle drug trafficking
The two sides agreed to draw up a shared work plan to guide bilateral cooperation on national security and law-enforcement issues
India and Canada have agreed to post law-enforcement liaison officers in each other’s countries to facilitate the timely exchange of information on the illegal flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl precursors, and transnational organised criminal networks, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
The decision followed a meeting between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Nathalie Drouin, Deputy Clerk and National Security and Intelligence Adviser to the Prime Minister of Canada, on February 7.
The two sides agreed to draw up a shared work plan to guide bilateral cooperation on national security and law-enforcement issues, enabling practical collaboration on respective priorities, the MEA said.
“It was agreed that each country would establish security and law-enforcement liaison officers,” the ministry said, adding that the agencies on both sides would build on existing working relationships.
The step is expected to streamline bilateral communication and enable timely information-sharing on issues of mutual concern, including the trafficking of fentanyl precursors and the activities of organised criminal networks.
India and Canada also committed to formalising cooperation on cybersecurity policy and information-sharing, while continuing discussions on collaboration related to fraud and immigration enforcement, consistent with domestic laws and international obligations.
The two sides reviewed progress on initiatives aimed at supporting the safety and security of their countries and citizens.
Doval’s visit was part of the regular bilateral security dialogue between the two countries. The NSA also met Gary Anandasangaree, Canada’s Minister for Public Safety.
