India and Canada have agreed to adopt a cooperative approach to reset and strengthen their bilateral relationship, focusing on areas such as counterterrorism and tackling transnational crimes, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on September 20, 2025.
High-Level Discussions in Delhi
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin met in New Delhi on September 18, 2025, for wide-ranging talks. The discussions aimed at repairing ties that were strained following the 2023 diplomatic row over the killing of a Sikh separatist.
Following Up on Prime Ministerial Talks
The MEA noted that the meeting built on June discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the G-7 summit in Kananaskis, where both leaders had agreed to pursue constructive steps to stabilize relations.
Key Areas of Cooperation
Both sides highlighted progress in rebuilding trust and expanding cooperation at the highest political levels. The NSAs held productive discussions on strengthening security collaboration, intelligence sharing, counterterrorism, and combating organized crime. They also explored future priority areas and exchanged views on regional and global developments.
Background of Strained Ties
India-Canada relations hit a low point after allegations by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2023 regarding a possible Indian role in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This led India to recall its High Commissioner and five diplomats, and expel an equal number of Canadian diplomats.
Steps Toward Normalization
The recent talks come three weeks after both countries appointed envoys to each other’s capitals. Carney’s Liberal Party victory in April has facilitated steps toward normalizing and rebuilding bilateral relations.
