India and Canada Agree to Rebuild Ties and Boost Security Cooperation

India and Canada have pledged to forge a new chapter in their bilateral relationship, emphasizing cooperation in combating terrorism and transnational organized crime, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Saturday. The commitment follows productive talks between National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart, Nathalie Drouin, held in New Delhi on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

The discussions aimed to repair ties that were severely strained in 2023 over a diplomatic dispute concerning the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The MEA highlighted that both nations agreed to adopt a “collaborative approach towards a new chapter in bilateral relations,” building on the momentum established during a June 2025 meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada. That meeting saw both leaders commit to “constructive” steps to restore stability.

“The two sides acknowledged the clear momentum for rebuilding trust and expanding cooperation at the highest levels of political leadership,” the MEA stated. The NSAs’ talks focused on advancing cooperation in counter-terrorism, combating transnational crime, and enhancing intelligence exchanges, while also exploring priority areas for future collaboration and discussing regional and global developments.

Also Read: China Warns of Action Against Taiwan at Global Security Forum

The breakthrough comes three weeks after both countries appointed new envoys to each other’s capitals, signaling a mutual desire to move past previous tensions. Relations had hit a low point in 2023 when then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged a potential Indian link to Nijjar’s killing, prompting India to recall its high commissioner and expel Canadian diplomats in October 2024. The election of Mark Carney as Canada’s Liberal Party leader in April 2025 paved the way for a reset, culminating in Thursday’s high-level discussions.

Both nations have now committed to strengthening security cooperation and reinforcing existing mechanisms to ensure a robust and trusting partnership moving forward.

Also Read: NATO Faces Security Challenges as Russian Drone Incursions Escalate