Nationwide Safety Adviser Ajit Doval met senior Canadian officers in Ottawa on February 6 and seven, with either side agreeing on steps to deepen safety cooperation, streamline data sharing and rebuild institutional hyperlinks after practically two years of diplomatic pressure.
Doval met Nathalie Drouin, Deputy Clerk and Nationwide Safety and Intelligence Adviser to the Canadian Prime Minister, on February 7 as a part of a “common bilateral safety dialogue”, in line with an official readout.
He additionally held talks with Gary Anandasangaree, Canada’s Minister for Public Security, a day earlier.
SHARED WORK PLAN, LIAISON OFFICERS
The 2 sides “acknowledged the progress on initiatives geared toward supporting the security and safety of their international locations and residents” and agreed to a “shared workplan to information bilateral cooperation on nationwide safety and regulation enforcement points and to allow sensible collaboration on respective priorities,” the assertion mentioned.
In a key step, India and Canada determined that every nation would set up safety and law-enforcement liaison officers. Their businesses will construct on current working relationships to “streamline bilateral communications and allow well timed data sharing” on problems with mutual concern.
These embody the unlawful move of medicine, significantly fentanyl precursors, and transnational organised prison networks.
CYBER, FRAUD, IMMIGRATION ON AGENDA
Each governments additionally dedicated to formalising cooperation on cybersecurity coverage and stepping up data sharing within the area.
They agreed to proceed discussions associated to fraud and immigration enforcement, whereas remaining according to home legal guidelines and worldwide obligations.
INDIA-CANADA TIE RESET
The go to comes amid seen makes an attempt by each capitals to stabilise ties following the rupture triggered in 2023 after the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
The then Justin Trudeau-led Canadian authorities had alleged potential Indian hyperlinks to the killing, expenses New Delhi rejected as “absurd”. The episode led to expulsions of diplomats, suspension of commerce talks and a pointy slowdown in political engagement.
Since then, either side have moved cautiously towards re-engagement. The appointment of excessive commissioners final yr restored full diplomatic illustration, whereas ministers have resumed journey.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is predicted to go to India in early March, with discussions seemingly throughout vitality, vital minerals, nuclear cooperation, rising applied sciences, schooling and tradition.
ENERGY TO ANCHOR ENGAGEMENT
In a latest interview with India Immediately TV, Canada’s Power and Pure Sources Minister Tim Hodgson described the partnership in expansive phrases.
“Canada sees not simply a possibility, however a strategic crucial, to accomplice with India in shaping a safe, resilient, and mutually useful vitality future,” he mentioned.
Calling the 2 international locations “an ideal match”, Hodgson pointed to India’s place because the fastest-growing supply of worldwide vitality demand and Canada’s capability as a provider of LNG, typical oil, uranium, potash and important minerals.
“There’s a robust affinity between our international locations, strengthened by practically two million Indian Canadians,” he added.
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