India and Canada Agree to Collaborative Approach to repair Bilateral Ties
New Delhi – India and Canada have agreed to pursue a collaborative approach to a “new chapter” in their bilateral relationship, with a focus on enhanced cooperation in tackling terrorism and transnational crimes. This growth follows talks between National Security Advisor (NSA) ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin held in New Delhi on Thursday, September 19th.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released a statement on Saturday, september 20th, outlining the broad outcomes of the discussions. According to the MEA,”The two sides agreed to work closely on the way forward and adopt a collaborative approach towards a new chapter in bilateral relations.”
The NSA-level talks centered on repairing relations that were severely strained following a diplomatic dispute stemming from allegations regarding the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had alleged a “potential Indian link” to nijjar’s death, prompting India to recall its High Commissioner and five other diplomats in October of last year. Canada reciprocated by expelling an equal number of Indian diplomats.
The MEA statement further indicated that the two NSAs discussed advancing the bilateral relationship in areas including counter-terrorism, combating transnational organized crime, and intelligence exchanges. They also “agreed to strengthen security cooperation and further reinforce existing mechanisms of engagement,” and deliberated on regional and global developments.
This renewed commitment builds on a previous discussion between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in June, during the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada. Both leaders at that time committed to taking ”constructive” measures to stabilize and strengthen India-Canada relations.
The MEA noted that the Doval-Drouin talks provided an chance to follow up on the Modi-Carney discussions, and acknowledged “the clear momentum for rebuilding trust and expanding cooperation at the highest levels of political leadership.” The victory of Liberal Party leader Carney in April’s parliamentary election is seen as having contributed to the beginning of the process to reset relations.
