India-Canada Step Up Security Ties With Shared Workplan
India-Canada Step Up Security Ties With Shared Workplan
India and Canada seal a shared workplan to boost security and law enforcement cooperation, establishing liaison officers to accelerate information sharing on drugs, cyber threats, and crime.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited Ottawa on February 7, 2026, in what officials described as a visible reset in the India-Canada security dialogue. The talks culminated in a shared workplan that will guide bilateral cooperation on national security and law enforcement, a signal that both sides are ready to rebuild trust and pursue high-level engagements in the near future. The meeting occurred ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s planned trip to India in March, underscoring the importance both countries place on tangible security cooperation.
As part of the new framework, both nations agreed to establish security and law-enforcement liaison officers to strengthen channels of communication and enable timely information sharing on issues of mutual concern. Key priority areas include the illicit drug trade, especially fentanyl precursors, and transnational organized crime networks that cross borders. The arrangement is designed to streamline coordination and ensure faster responses to unfolding security threats.
The talks also covered formalizing cooperation on cybersecurity policy and information sharing, with both sides committing to pursue dialogue on fraud prevention and immigration enforcement, in line with domestic laws and international obligations. During the visit, Mr. Doval met with Canada’s Deputy Clerk and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister, and he also sat down with Gary Anandasangaree, Canada’s Minister for Public Safety, signaling a broadening of ministerial-level engagement.
This security reset comes amid lingering tensions over the Nijjar case, after Canada accused India of involvement in the killing in 2023. While the two countries acknowledged progress on several initiatives, Canada’s inquiry outcomes have continued to shape perceptions in both capitals. The newly announced workplan emphasizes practical collaboration on priority issues while maintaining a framework that allows for ongoing dialogue and potential high-level visits.
Experts say the establishment of liaison officers and formal cybersecurity cooperation could help insulate the relationship from political frictions, turning security dialogue into a steady channel for addressing shared risks. As Delhi and Ottawa seek to align their approaches to homeland security, the shared plan represents a concrete step toward a more predictable and cooperative partnership on regional and global security concerns.
