India, Canada reboot ties as Ajit Doval holds talks with Canadian NSA, spotlight on Khalistani-linked extremism

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval with his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin

• India and Canada to set up security liaison officers for better cooperation
• Nations agree to share real-time intelligence on drugs, cyber threats, extremism
• Talks mark a shift to concrete law-enforcement action on anti-India activities

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India and Canada have agreed to establish security and law-enforcement liaison officers to strengthen cooperation on national security, law enforcement and intelligence sharing, following talks between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin in Ottawa.

The discussions, held during Doval’s visit to Canada, marked a reset in bilateral ties and sent a clear signal that violent extremist groups, including Khalistani-linked networks, do not enjoy the support of the Canadian government, top sources told CNN-News18.

Sources said the talks focused on opening real-time intelligence sharing on drugs, cyber threats and extremism, with Khalistani-linked groups a key area of concern. The discussions reflected Ottawa’s shift from political posturing to concrete law-enforcement action on anti-India activities.

According to a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release, both sides agreed to build on their working relationship as part of the regular bilateral security dialogue.

“During the meeting, it was agreed that each country would establish security and law-enforcement liaison officers and that their respective agencies would build on working relationships,” the statement said.

The MEA noted that the two sides acknowledged progress on initiatives aimed at ensuring the safety and security of their citizens and agreed on a shared work plan to guide cooperation on national security and law enforcement priorities.

“The two sides acknowledged the progress on initiatives aimed at supporting the safety and security of their countries and citizens. They agreed to a shared workplan to guide bilateral cooperation on national security and law enforcement issues and to enable practical collaboration on respective priorities,” the release added.

The establishment of liaison officers is expected to streamline bilateral communication and enable timely information sharing on issues such as the illegal flow of drugs — particularly fentanyl precursors — and transnational organised crime networks.

India and Canada also committed to formalising cooperation on cybersecurity policy and information sharing, while continuing discussions on fraud and immigration enforcement, in line with domestic laws and international obligations.

“They also committed to formalising cooperation on cybersecurity policy and information sharing on cybersecurity issues, as well as continuing discussions on cooperation related to fraud and immigration enforcement, consistent with domestic laws and international obligations,” the MEA said.

In addition to his meeting with Drouin, Doval also held talks with Canada’s Minister for Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree. The visit underlines ongoing efforts by both countries to strengthen cooperation in national security, law enforcement and cybersecurity.