India, Canada To Deploy Security Liaison Officers In Bid To Restore Bilateral Relations
India and Canada have reached an agreement to strengthen security and law enforcement coordination, which includes deploying liaison officers and developing a joint workplan, following senior-level discussions in Ottawa with India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. The meetings, conducted on 6 and 7 February 2026, represent an effort to mend strained bilateral relations that have faced challenges in recent years due to concerns surrounding Khalistani extremist activities and claims of foreign interference.
On 7 February, Doval held talks with Nathalie Drouin, Deputy Clerk and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada. The discussion was part of the ongoing bilateral security dialogue between the two nations.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that both sides “acknowledged the progress on initiatives aimed at supporting the safety and security of their countries and citizens”. A significant aspect was the recognition that violent extremist groups do not enjoy the support of the Canadian Government.
This recognition appears to respond to India’s longstanding concerns regarding Khalistani extremists, who have organized protests against India in Canada and previously threatened Indian diplomats.
The officials agreed upon a “shared workplan” to direct bilateral cooperation on national security and law enforcement matters and to “enable practical collaboration on respective priorities”. They also determined that each nation would “establish security and law-enforcement liaison officers” to allow their respective agencies to “build on working relationships”.
According to the MEA, this measure would “help streamline bilateral communications and enable timely information sharing on issues of mutual concern to Canada and India, such as the illegal flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl precursors, and transnational organised criminal networks”.
On 6 February, Mr Doval met with Gary Anandasangaree, Canada’s Minister for Public Safety. A Canadian readout outlined similar results, noting that participants “acknowledged the progress made by Canada and India on initiatives aimed at supporting the safety and security of their countries and citizens”.
Minister Anandasangaree, Ms Drouin, and Mr Doval “committed to formalising cooperation on cybersecurity policy and information sharing on cybersecurity issues, as well as continuing discussions on cooperation related to fraud and immigration enforcement, consistent with domestic laws and international obligations”, the Canadian statement added.
Indian NSA Ajit Doval’s visit precedes the visit of Indian trade minister Goyal to Canada and the visit of PM Carney to Delhi.