india-canada-hold-first-security-talks-since-nijjar-fallout

India and Canada have taken their first concrete step towards mending ties strained since 2023, with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval holding talks in New Delhi this week with his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin.

 

The dialogue, described by senior officials as a “reset moment”, is the first significant thaw in relations since the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar plunged bilateral ties into crisis two years ago.

 

The meeting followed the exchange of new high commissioners in August, a gesture seen as signalling a willingness on both sides to re-engage at senior levels. According to diplomatic sources, security, trade, and energy cooperation dominated the agenda, with both delegations striking what was described as a positive and forward-looking tone.

 

Indian officials pressed long-standing concerns over Khalistani extremism, the extradition of wanted terrorists believed to be sheltered abroad, and what New Delhi regards as interference by Canada in its domestic matters. They also referred to intelligence and evidence already shared in confidential meetings held in Singapore earlier this year.

Also read: Canada admits Khalistani extremists using its soil against India

 

Ottawa, for its part, indicated readiness to deepen intelligence-sharing and counter-terrorism collaboration. Sources said this reflected a noticeable shift in approach, in line with broader trade and energy interests underscored during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Calgary earlier in the year.

 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar echoed the cautious optimism, remarking that “things are moving in the right direction”. He hinted that high-level visits could resume and joint security mechanisms might soon be put in place.

 

Strategic analysts argue that if this understanding holds, it could unlock up to $20 billion in bilateral trade potential and contribute to stability across the Indo-Pacific. However, Indian officials cautioned privately that New Delhi will “test Canadian sincerity” by monitoring how Ottawa acts against pro-Khalistan networks active on its soil.