India and Canada are officially charting a course towards a renewed partnership, with both nations committing to a collaborative approach to bolster bilateral ties. A significant focus of this new chapter will be joint efforts to combat terrorism and transnational crimes, as confirmed by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
This positive development follows extensive discussions between India’s National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval, and his Canadian counterpart, Nathalie Drouin, in New Delhi. These high-level talks, which took place on Thursday, September 18, 2025, were primarily aimed at mending strained relations that had deteriorated significantly after a diplomatic dispute in 2023.
The Ministry of External Affairs released a statement on Saturday, September 20, 2025, detailing the productive outcomes of these crucial discussions. Both sides expressed a strong commitment to moving forward, embracing a collaborative strategy to open a fresh chapter in their relationship.
The recent engagement between the National Security Advisors built upon earlier momentum. In June, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada. During that meeting, both leaders had agreed to take “constructive steps” to restore stability in the India-Canada relationship.
Both NSAs acknowledged a clear and palpable momentum towards rebuilding trust and expanding cooperation, especially at the highest echelons of political leadership. Their discussions were described as “productive,” covering key areas such as counter-terrorism, combating organized transnational crime, and enhancing intelligence sharing. A mutual agreement was reached to strengthen security cooperation and reinforce existing frameworks for engagement.
Furthermore, Doval and Drouin deliberated on future priority areas and exchanged perspectives on various regional and global developments. These crucial talks occurred just three weeks after India and Canada each appointed new envoys to their respective capitals, a clear sign of mutual intent to de-escalate tensions and foster diplomatic engagement.
Relations between the two countries had reached a low point in 2023 following then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s unverified allegations of a potential Indian government involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist. The situation escalated dramatically when India responded by recalling its High Commissioner and five other diplomats in October of that year, after Ottawa implicated them in the Nijjar case. India, in turn, expelled an equivalent number of Canadian diplomats.
However, the political landscape shifted with Liberal Party leader Mark Carney’s victory in the Canadian parliamentary election in April. His election has been instrumental in initiating the much-needed process to reset and normalize diplomatic relations between India and Canada.