AI Generated Summary
- Officials described it as a follow-up to the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Patrick Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.
- “The two sides acknowledged the clear momentum for rebuilding trust and expanding cooperation at the highest levels of political leadership,” the MEA said in a statement.
- While neither side issued detailed specifics, the emphasis on counter-terrorism is widely seen as a reference to pro-Khalistan separatist activity — a long-standing point of friction between the two nations.
In a significant step toward recalibrating strained ties, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie G. Drouin met in New Delhi on September 18 to discuss a wide spectrum of security concerns.
According to official statements, the talks touched upon counter-terrorism cooperation, the threat of transnational organized crime, and intelligence sharing. While neither side issued detailed specifics, the emphasis on counter-terrorism is widely seen as a reference to pro-Khalistan separatist activity — a long-standing point of friction between the two nations.
Nijjar Killing Casts a Shadow
The meeting came against the backdrop of the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh separatist leader designated as a terrorist by India. The issue has complicated bilateral relations over the past year, with New Delhi repeatedly calling for action against individuals and groups accused of anti-India activities. Sources indicated that India reiterated its demand for the extradition of those allegedly involved in terrorism and separatism.
Building on G7 Momentum
The Ministry of External Affairs noted that the dialogue was part of a regular bilateral security mechanism but carried added significance this year. Officials described it as a follow-up to the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Patrick Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.
“The two sides acknowledged the clear momentum for rebuilding trust and expanding cooperation at the highest levels of political leadership,” the MEA said in a statement. “They had productive discussions on advancing the bilateral relationship, including in areas such as counter-terrorism, combating transnational organised crime and intelligence exchanges.”
A Different Track from Diplomatic Talks
Interestingly, the security-focused dialogue took place a day before Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison met Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other Ministry of External Affairs officials on September 19. Unlike the broader diplomatic engagement, the NSA-level talks zeroed in on hard security concerns, underscoring New Delhi’s insistence that terrorism-related issues remain a central pillar of any reset with Ottawa.
Looking Ahead
Both sides agreed to “strengthen security cooperation and further reinforce existing mechanisms of engagement.” They also exchanged views on global and regional developments, with an understanding to adopt a collaborative approach in the future.
Analysts say the meeting reflects a cautious but notable thaw in bilateral ties, which had been weighed down by distrust in recent years. Whether this momentum can translate into substantive cooperation may depend on how Ottawa navigates India’s concerns over pro-Khalistan networks on Canadian soil.
