India and Canada agree on shared workplan for security cooperation
The visit by NSA Ajit Doval came ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney’s planned visit to India in March.
In a first move of its kind since 2023, India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Canada on February 7, 2026. The visit came after a long pause in high level security talks between the two countries. It followed serious tensions after Canada accused India of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023.
Mr. Doval travelled to Ottawa as part of a bilateral security dialogue. During the visit, he met his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin. She serves as the Deputy Clerk and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister. The meeting was seen as an important step to restart direct engagement on security matters.
The timing of the visit was also significant. Mr. Doval’s trip took place ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s planned visit to India in March. Officials from both sides said the visit was meant to prepare the ground and reduce gaps in communication.
During their talks, Mr. Doval and Ms. Drouin discussed several security concerns. Both sides agreed that despite past differences, there was a need to work together on issues that affect public safety. They acknowledged progress already made in recent months through quiet contacts.
The two sides said they shared a responsibility to protect their countries and their people. They agreed on a shared workplan to guide future cooperation. This workplan will focus on national security and law enforcement matters. It will also help both countries work together on practical issues instead of only policy talks.
One key outcome of the meeting was the decision to set up security and law enforcement liaison officers. Each country will place officers to work closely with the other side. Officials said this step will help improve day to day communication between agencies.
This move is expected to reduce delays and confusion. It will also allow faster sharing of information. Both sides said this is important for handling issues that cross borders and move quickly.
Drug trafficking was one of the main concerns discussed. The two sides spoke about the illegal flow of drugs, especially fentanyl precursors. These chemicals are a serious problem and affect public health and safety. Both countries agreed that better coordination is needed to track and stop such flows.
They also discussed transnational organized crime. Criminal networks often operate across countries and take advantage of weak links. Officials said closer ties between agencies can help identify these networks early and act against them.
Cybersecurity was another area where both sides agreed to deepen cooperation. India and Canada said they would work toward formal cooperation on cybersecurity policy. They also agreed to share information related to cyber threats. This includes attacks on systems and misuse of digital platforms.
Fraud and immigration enforcement were also part of the talks. The two sides agreed to continue discussions in these areas. They said all cooperation would be in line with domestic laws and international rules. Officials stressed the need to balance security with legal processes.
During his visit, Mr. This meeting took place on February 6, a day before his meeting with Ms. Drouin. The discussion focused on internal security issues and ways to improve cooperation between enforcement agencies.
Canadian officials described the meetings as direct and serious. Indian officials said the talks were honest and focused on moving forward. While no dramatic announcements were made, both sides felt the visit helped rebuild trust.
Experts say this visit does not erase past tensions. However, it signals a willingness to talk and cooperate. For both India and Canada, issues like drugs, cyber threats, and crime cannot be handled alone.
The visit by Mr. Doval shows that security dialogue is slowly being restored. It also sets the tone ahead of Prime Minister Carney’s visit to India. Observers say the coming months will show whether this renewed engagement leads to lasting cooperation.