India, Canada to formulate ‘joint working plan’ to strengthen security cooperation India News

The move is seen as part of efforts to normalize relations between the two countries, which have been severely strained by a diplomatic row over the killing of a Khalistani separatist in 2023.NSA Doval’s visit to Ottawa comes as both sides prepare for a possible visit to India by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney early next month.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday shared details of the Doval-Drouin meeting and said both sides recognized progress on initiatives to support the security of both countries and citizens.“They agreed to a joint work plan to guide bilateral cooperation on national security and law enforcement issues and to engage in practical cooperation on their respective priorities,” the statement said.“During the meeting, it was agreed that each country would establish a security and law enforcement liaison officer and that the respective agencies would establish a working relationship,” the MEA said in a statement.The statement said this “important step” would help streamline bilateral communication and allow for timely sharing of information on issues of “mutual concern” such as “illicit flows of drugs (particularly fentanyl precursors) and transnational organized crime networks.”“The two sides also committed to formalize cooperation on cybersecurity policy and information sharing on cybersecurity issues, and to continue discussions on cooperation on anti-fraud and immigration enforcement in accordance with domestic laws and international obligations,” the statement said.NSA Doval also met with Canadian Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree on Friday.Relations between India and Canada hit rock bottom in 2023 after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged a possible link between India and the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.India dismissed Trudeau’s accusations as “ridiculous.”In October 2024, India recalled its high commissioner and five other diplomats after Ottawa tried to link them to the Nijar case. India also expelled an equal number of Canadian diplomats.However, Liberal Party leader Carney won the parliamentary election last April, helping to start the process of resetting relations between the two countries.Each side has stationed high commissioners in the other’s capital.