NextFin news, New Delhi, Saturday, September 20, 2025 – India and Canada have agreed to reset their bilateral ties with a focus on counter-terrorism and security cooperation following talks between National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin on Thursday, September 18, in New Delhi.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the talks as marking a "new chapter" in Indo-Canada relations. Both sides agreed to adopt a collaborative approach to combat terrorism and transnational organized crime, strengthen intelligence sharing, and reinforce existing security cooperation mechanisms.
The discussions also addressed concerns over Khalistani extremist activities originating from Canadian soil, which India views as a threat to its internal security. The Indian delegation sought assurances regarding the safety of Indian diplomats and missions in Canada.
This meeting was part of the regular bilateral security dialogue and served as a follow-up to discussions between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held in June 2025 on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada. Both leaders had agreed to pursue constructive steps to restore stability in bilateral relations.
The MEA stated, "Both sides acknowledged the clear momentum for rebuilding trust and expanding cooperation at the highest levels of political leadership. They had productive discussions on advancing the bilateral relationship including in areas such as counter terrorism, combating transnational organised crime and intelligence exchanges."
The diplomatic relationship between India and Canada had deteriorated sharply in 2023 after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This led to reciprocal expulsions of diplomats by both countries in late 2023.
However, the election of Liberal Party leader Mark Carney as Canadian Prime Minister in April 2025 has paved the way for renewed engagement. The recent NSA talks and the appointment of envoys to each other's capitals three weeks ago signal a thaw and a commitment to reset ties.
The MEA confirmed that the two NSAs also exchanged views on regional and global developments and deliberated on priority areas for future cooperation, emphasizing a collaborative approach to bilateral relations going forward.
Sources: Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India; Deccan Chronicle (September 20, 2025); The Federal (September 20, 2025).
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