India, Canada Renew Security Engagement as NSA Ajit Doval Holds High-Level Talks in Ottawa

Ottawa, Feb 2026 : India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held a series of high-level meetings in Ottawa this week aimed at strengthening bilateral security cooperation with Canada, marking an important step in efforts to rebuild and stabilise ties between the two countries.

On Saturday, Doval met Nathalie Drouin, Deputy Clerk and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada, as part of the structured bilateral security dialogue between New Delhi and Ottawa. According to an official statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the discussions focused on enhancing coordination to address shared security challenges and protecting the safety of citizens in both nations.

During the talks, both sides reviewed the progress of ongoing security initiatives and agreed on a shared work plan to guide future collaboration on national security and law enforcement matters. The plan is expected to translate political intent into practical cooperation on priority areas, including countering transnational crime and emerging security threats.

A significant outcome of the meeting was the decision to appoint security and law-enforcement liaison officers in each other’s countries. This move is aimed at improving institutional communication and enabling faster, more effective information-sharing on common threats. Particular emphasis was placed on combating the illegal trafficking of drugs, including fentanyl precursors, as well as the activities of transnational organised crime networks operating across borders.

Official readouts from both the MEA and Canada’s Privy Council Office highlighted the constructive and forward-looking tone of the discussions, underscoring a shared commitment to restoring trust through concrete actions. The two sides also agreed to formalise cooperation in the cybersecurity domain, including policy coordination and the exchange of information related to cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

In addition, India and Canada decided to continue advancing discussions on fraud prevention and immigration enforcement, while ensuring that all cooperation remains consistent with domestic legal frameworks and international obligations. These areas have gained prominence amid growing concerns over cross-border crime, identity fraud and misuse of immigration systems.

As part of his two-day visit, Doval also met Gary Anandasangaree, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, on Friday, February 6. That meeting further reinforced the shared focus on addressing public safety challenges such as drug trafficking, organised crime and security risks that affect both countries.

Officials from both sides described the outcomes of the visit as important confidence-building steps, signalling renewed momentum in India-Canada security relations. The engagements in Ottawa reflect a mutual recognition that sustained, practical cooperation is essential to managing cross-border threats and strengthening overall bilateral ties.