India, Canada Seal Security Pact to Tackle Drug Trafficking and Cyber Threats

New Delhi: Relations between India and Canada are now slowly back on track, and the latest example of this is the recent high-level meeting. Both countries have done a good job at the National Security Advisor level – creating a shared work plan to enhance cooperation on security and law and order issues.

What decisions were taken in the meeting?

This meeting took place in Ottawa on 6-7 February 2026. India's NSA Ajit Doval met Canada's Deputy Clerk and National Security and Intelligence Advisor Nathalie Drouin. This was part of the regular bilateral security dialogue between the two countries. In the meeting, satisfaction was expressed on the ongoing efforts from both sides for the safety of citizens and it was agreed to move forward for practical cooperation.

In which areas will cooperation increase?

• Both countries will now appoint security and law-enforcement liaison officers. These officers will stay in each other's country and will be in direct contact and exchange information rapidly.
• There will be a special focus on drug trafficking – especially on combating illicit trafficking of narcotics like fentanyl and their precursors.
• Joint action to combat transnational organized crime and criminal networks.
• There will also be more formal cooperation in cyber security, information sharing about cyber threats, fraud and compliance with immigration laws.

Overall, agencies will now work more closely, so that information can be obtained quickly and action can be taken in difficult times.

Why did relations deteriorate earlier and why are they improving now?

In 2023, the then Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had alleged that Indian agencies could be involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India termed these allegations as completely baseless and rejected them outright. Both countries then expelled many of each other's diplomats, and relations reached their worst level in decades.

Now the reforms began at the end of 2024, when contacts between intelligence and law-enforcement agencies resumed. Things accelerated after Mark Carney became Prime Minister of Canada. Ajit Doval also talked to Canada's Public Safety Minister Gary Anandsangari during this visit. Both countries now want to rebuild trust through practical cooperation.

This meeting is a positive step. Both sides have understood that it is in the interest of both to work together on issues like drugs, crime, and cyber threats. It is hoped that this will strengthen relations and more good news will come in the future.