NSA Ajit Doval Canada talks in New Delhi on Tuesday ended with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation against terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking, extortion and the extradition of criminal offenders. Doval, India's National Security Adviser, held the NSA-level India-Canada Security Dialogue with David Morrison, Senior Diplomatic and International Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada.

Morrison was in India from October 5 to 7 at Doval's invitation.

The two sides noted with satisfaction the bilateral engagement of the past year, which the joint press release described as "guided by mutual trust, respect for each other's concerns and sensitivities."

NSA Ajit Doval Canada talks widen the list of shared threats

According to the joint release, the two sides agreed to deepen coordination and cooperation in combating transnational organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism, human and drug trafficking, cybercrime and extortion. Extradition of criminal offenders is on the same list.

Two new tracks were put forward. India and Canada will explore structured dialogues on cyber security and economic security.

At the NSA Ajit Doval Canada talks, both sides also agreed to strengthen existing institutional mechanisms and to open new channels, as appropriate, for streamlined communication and timely information-sharing on matters of mutual concern, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Ottawa work plan reviewed in New Delhi

Much of Tuesday's meeting went into reviewing the shared Security Work Plan concluded in February 2026, along with wider security and law enforcement cooperation.

That plan came out of the previous round in Ottawa. Doval met Nathalie G Drouin, then Canada's National Security and Intelligence Advisor, and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree there on February 6 and 7. According to the readout issued by Canada's Privy Council Office, each country agreed to post security and law enforcement liaison officers and to formalise cooperation on cybersecurity policy. Official accounts at the time named the illegal flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl precursors, and transnational criminal networks as issues of mutual concern.

The first round in this format was held in New Delhi in September 2025. The India-Canada track is one of several NSA-level channels Doval has run this year, alongside the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs meeting in New Delhi and the 25th round of boundary talks with China in Beijing, where he also called on Chinese Vice President Han Zheng.

Security channel rebuilt after a difficult phase

Relations between the two countries came under strain in 2023 and 2024. In October 2024, India withdrew its High Commissioner and other diplomats from Ottawa. New Delhi has for long raised concerns over extremist and criminal elements operating from Canadian soil.

Tuesday's meeting was the third NSA-level round in just over a year.

Leaders' guidance and CEPA talks

Both sides acknowledged the guidance given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart at their meetings in New Delhi in March 2026 and on the margins of the G7 Summit at Evian in June 2026. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments.

The two sides welcomed efforts to advance negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Trade, people-to-people ties and multilateral cooperation are among the areas Canada lists on its official page on Canada-India relations.

Defence ties on the India-Canada agenda

Defence featured in the talks as well. Doval and Morrison discussed the growing potential for a fuller bilateral defence relationship, in keeping with the vision of the leadership of both countries, according to the joint press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.