Canada and India Reaffirm Security Cooperation After Diplomatic Strain

OTTAWA — Senior security officials from Canada and India met in Ottawa between Feb. 6–7, 2026, affirming plans to deepen bilateral cooperation on national security, law enforcement and cybersecurity, even as the two countries work to rebuild strained diplomatic relations.

The meetings brought together The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, along with Nathalie G. Drouin, Deputy Clerk and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister, and Ajit Doval, India’s National Security Adviser.

Officials from both governments described the talks as part of a regular bilateral security dialogue and an effort to codify formal cooperation on shared priority issues.

Shared Workplan to Strengthen Security Ties

During the discussions, Canada and India agreed to a shared workplan to support coordinated action on national security and law enforcement issues.

The workplan includes commitments to:

• Establish security and law-enforcement liaison officers in each country to streamline communications;

• Strengthen information sharing on threats of mutual concern;

• Build on existing relationships between Canadian and Indian agencies.

Officials highlighted several areas of particular shared interest.

Priority Areas: Drug Trafficking, Organized Crime and Cybersecurity

Both sides identified major issues where cooperation could yield practical impact:

Fentanyl trafficking and precursor chemicals
Canada and India agreed to work more closely to address the illegal flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl precursors that contribute to the ongoing overdose crisis in North America.

Transnational organized crime
The workplan envisages information exchange and joint efforts to curb criminal networks operating across borders.

Cybersecurity policy and intelligence sharing
Officials committed to formalizing cooperation on cybersecurity. This includes ongoing exchanges of policy insights and threat information, even as cyber threats grow more complex.

In addition, both governments said they would continue consultations on cooperation related to fraud and immigration enforcement, in ways consistent with domestic laws and international obligations.

Diplomatic Context: Rebuilding Relations After 2023 Tensions

The Ottawa meeting comes against a backdrop of recent diplomatic strain between Canada and India.

In June 2023, relations deteriorated sharply after the Canadian government publicly alleged a potential link between Indian agents and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Sikh separatist leader, in Surrey, British Columbia.

Canada’s accusations triggered a serious diplomatic rift. Both countries:

• Expelled diplomats in retaliation,

• Saw a temporary suspension of Indian visa services for Canadians,

• Experienced heightened political tension and slowed bilateral engagement.

The resulting strain affected trade discussions and cooperation across multiple portfolios.

Canada pursued international alliances to address the concerns, while India rejected the allegations and maintained that they lacked credible evidence. The disagreement marked one of the most significant ruptures in Canada–India relations in decades.

Why the 2026 Security Dialogue Matters

Against this backdrop, the February 2026 national security dialogue is significant for several reasons:

Re-engagement on core security issues:
The shared workplan shows both governments are willing to coordinate on issues where mutual threats exist — from drug trafficking to cyber threats — even as political disagreements remain unresolved.

Institutionalization of cooperation:
By agreeing to designate liaison officers and formalize information sharing, Canada and India are building structural links that can survive short-term political fluctuations.

Focus on practical outcomes:
The emphasis on fentanyl, organized crime, and cybersecurity highlights concrete areas where cooperation can have measurable impact.

While political tensions continue, particularly over trust and diplomatic accountability, this renewed security dialogue reflects a cautious restoration of functional engagement.

Official Statements

The meeting reaffirmed progress in cooperative efforts to protect citizens and strengthen law enforcement ties.

India’s official statement emphasized that the visit and shared workplan were part of a “regular bilateral security dialogue”. The Indian government also noted progress on initiatives aimed at supporting safety and security for both nations.

What Comes Next

Officials will now focus on implementing the shared workplan and operationalizing the commitments reached in Ottawa. This may include:

• Deployment of joint liaison officers;

• Enhanced bilateral information exchanges;

• Further ministerial or interagency meetings;

• Continued diplomatic dialogue to address outstanding issues.

Both governments have signaled a desire to maintain this engagement in a broader context of bilateral relations, even as they work through past tensions.