Ottawa, February 8: India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval engaged in high-level discussions in Ottawa this week to enhance bilateral security cooperation with Canada. This dialogue is part of ongoing efforts to reinforce relations between the two nations.
On Saturday, Doval met with Natalie G. Drouin, Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister and National Security and Intelligence Advisor of Canada. According to an official press release from the Ministry of External Affairs, this meeting was part of the regular bilateral security talks between the two countries.
Both sides reviewed the progress of ongoing initiatives aimed at ensuring the safety of their nations and citizens. They agreed on a joint action plan to guide future collaboration on national security and law enforcement matters. This step paves the way for more practical joint efforts based on shared priorities.
A key decision from the discussions was the commitment to appoint security and law enforcement liaison officers in both countries. This initiative aims to enhance communication channels and facilitate rapid information exchange on shared threats, including the illegal trafficking of drugs, particularly fentanyl precursors, and activities of international organized crime networks.
The officials also pledged to formalize cooperation in cybersecurity, which includes policy coordination and information sharing on cyber threats. They decided to advance discussions on joint actions related to fraud prevention and immigration enforcement while respecting each country’s domestic laws and international commitments.
Despite past tensions in their relationship, this visit underscored both countries’ mutual interest in strengthening practical security ties.
During the two-day visit, Doval also met with Canada’s Minister of Public Safety on Friday (February 6). These meetings signal positive momentum in India-Canada security relations, focusing on concrete measures to address cross-border challenges such as drug trafficking and organized crime.
Officials from both sides described these meetings as significant steps toward building trust on critical public safety issues and fostering effective cooperation.
