Feb 10: India and Canada have agreed to formulate a shared work plan to guide cooperation on national security and law enforcement issues, marking an important step towards strengthening bilateral engagement in areas of mutual concern.
The decision was taken during a meeting between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin in Ottawa on Saturday. Sharing details of the discussions, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said both sides acknowledged progress on initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security of their countries and citizens.
According to the MEA, India and Canada agreed that each country will establish security and law-enforcement liaison officers, and that their respective agencies will build upon existing working relationships. This move is expected to streamline bilateral communication and enable timely information sharing on critical issues.
The Ministry noted that the collaboration will focus on tackling shared challenges such as the illegal flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl precursors, and transnational organised criminal networks operating across borders. Enhanced coordination between law enforcement agencies is expected to improve operational effectiveness in addressing these threats.
Both sides also committed to formalising cooperation on cybersecurity policy and enhancing information sharing on cybersecurity-related matters. This includes continued dialogue on countering cyber threats and ensuring resilience of digital infrastructure, in line with domestic laws and international obligations.
In addition, India and Canada agreed to continue discussions on cooperation related to fraud prevention and immigration enforcement, ensuring that efforts remain consistent with legal frameworks and international commitments. The MEA said these engagements reflect a shared intent to strengthen institutional mechanisms and promote trust-based cooperation.
As part of his visit, NSA Ajit Doval also met Canada’s Minister for Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, on Friday. The meetings underline ongoing diplomatic efforts to deepen collaboration in the areas of public safety, security and law enforcement.
The agreement to develop a structured work plan signals a pragmatic approach by both countries to address evolving security challenges through dialogue, coordination and mutual understanding. It also highlights the importance India and Canada place on sustained engagement to protect their citizens and counter emerging transnational threats.
