India, Canada NSAs talk terror, organised crime

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday said India and Canada had agreed to adopt a collaborative approach towards a "new chapter" in bilateral ties, including working closely to combat terrorism and transnational organised crime.

According to the MEA, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin recently held wide-ranging talks in New Delhi, covering counter-terrorism, security cooperation and the issue of organised crime.

New Delhi has long accused Canada of turning a blind eye to Khalistan separatist networks and their links with organised crime syndicates. Indian officials maintain that such groups not only foment anti-India activities abroad, but also channel funds into extremist propaganda and criminal enterprises. In this backdrop, the NSA-level dialogue is seen as a crucial effort to keep security cooperation on track despite political strains. 

"They (NSAs) agreed to strengthen security cooperation and further reinforce existing mechanisms of engagement. The two NSAs also deliberated on the priority areas for future cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global developments,” the MEA said.

While no breakthrough announcements were made, officials indicated that New Delhi and Ottawa agreed to work closely on the way forward and adopt a collaborative approach towards a "new chapter in bilateral relations".

Relations between the two countries sharply deteriorated in 2023 after then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged India's involvement in the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, a charge New Delhi dismissed as “absurd and motivated.”

The episode led to tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats, a freeze in trade negotiations, suspension of visa services, and the recall of High Commissioners from both capitals. The strain also created unease among the Indian diaspora in Canada, including students and workers.

The change of leadership in Ottawa earlier this year created an opening for a reset. Carney’s June meeting with Modi was the first significant effort to put relations back on track, paving the way for the latest consultations.

It was also an opportunity to follow up on the discussions between PM Modi and his Canadian counterpart Carney, the MEA said on Doval-Drouin talks.