India and Canada have agreed to strengthen cooperation on a range of security and law-enforcement issues, including transnational organized crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, cybercrime and the extradition of criminal offenders.
The agreement was reached during discussions between India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and David Morrison, Canada’s senior diplomatic and international affairs adviser to Prime Minister Mark Carney. Morrison was in India from October 5 to 7, during which the two sides held discussions on security cooperation and other areas of bilateral engagement.
The talks come as New Delhi and Ottawa seek to improve relations following several years of diplomatic tensions. Security and law-enforcement concerns have been among the most sensitive issues in the relationship, with both countries raising concerns about activities originating from the other side.
During the latest discussions, the two officials reviewed progress under a bilateral security work plan agreed in February 2026. The plan was intended to provide a framework for closer cooperation between the two countries on matters of mutual security interest.
According to a joint statement issued following the meeting, India and Canada agreed to enhance coordination in tackling transnational organized crime, terrorism and violent extremism. Other areas identified for greater cooperation included human trafficking, drug trafficking, cybercrime, extortion and the extradition of individuals accused or convicted of criminal offences.
The two sides also agreed to examine additional areas where cooperation could be expanded. These include the possibility of establishing structured dialogues on cybersecurity and economic security.
Officials also discussed strengthening existing institutional arrangements between the two countries. New communication channels may be established to facilitate quicker exchanges of information and improve coordination on issues requiring timely attention.
The renewed focus on security cooperation follows a prolonged period of strain in India-Canada relations. Diplomatic ties deteriorated sharply in 2023 after then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly alleged that Indian government agents could have been linked to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and prominent Khalistani separatist, in British Columbia.
India rejected the allegation and questioned the evidence behind the claim. The dispute led to a series of diplomatic measures and placed wider bilateral relations under considerable pressure.
Security-related concerns have remained central to discussions between the two countries. New Delhi has repeatedly expressed concern about the activities of Khalistani separatist groups and individuals based in Canada, including alleged links between some such elements and organized criminal networks.
Canadian authorities, meanwhile, have raised concerns about transnational criminal organizations with connections to India and have sought greater cooperation in addressing such networks.
Despite the tensions, security officials from the two countries continued to maintain channels of communication. Officials held several meetings aimed at addressing areas of concern and keeping law-enforcement cooperation functional.
The national security adviser-level bilateral dialogue has also emerged as an important mechanism for these discussions. Previous rounds were held in New Delhi in September 2025 and in Ottawa in February 2026.
The latest meeting indicates an effort to broaden that engagement beyond individual disputes and establish more regular mechanisms for cooperation on common security challenges.
Information-sharing is expected to remain an important component of the relationship. Cross-border organized crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime and financial networks often involve individuals and transactions spread across multiple jurisdictions, making coordination between law-enforcement agencies an important part of investigations.
Extradition is another area where the two countries have sought closer cooperation. The issue involves legal and diplomatic processes that can require coordination between investigative agencies, prosecutors and judicial authorities in both countries.
Beyond security, India and Canada are also seeking to advance their wider economic relationship. During the discussions, the two sides welcomed efforts to move forward with negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.
The two countries also discussed the potential for greater cooperation in defence. The joint statement referred to the possibility of developing a more substantive bilateral defence relationship, suggesting that security engagement could extend beyond law enforcement and counterterrorism into broader strategic and defence cooperation.
Regional and global developments were also discussed during the meeting, although the joint statement did not provide detailed information on the specific issues considered.
Both sides described their recent engagement as sustained and constructive and stressed the importance of mutual trust, respect for each country’s concerns and sensitivities, and continued efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.
The latest talks therefore represent another step toward rebuilding institutional engagement between India and Canada. While significant differences remain on issues related to security and separatist activities, both countries appear to be seeking more structured channels for communication and practical cooperation.
The focus on organized crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, cybercrime and extradition also reflects areas where the interests of the two countries overlap, particularly in dealing with criminal networks that operate across national borders.
Further engagement between security and law-enforcement agencies is expected to determine how the agreements reached at the political level translate into operational cooperation between the two countries.
