India and Canada have agreed to deepen cooperation in combating terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and the extradition of criminal offenders, signalling a further expansion of security engagement as the two countries rebuild ties after one of the most difficult periods in their bilateral relationship.
The understanding emerged from talks in New Delhi on Tuesday between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and David Morrison, Senior Diplomatic and International Affairs Advisor to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Morrison was on a three-day visit to India from October 5 to 7.
Security ties deepen
A joint statement issued on Wednesday said Doval and Morrison reviewed progress in bilateral security and law-enforcement cooperation, including implementation of the Security Work Plan concluded in February 2026.
The two sides agreed to deepen coordination against transnational organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism, human and drug trafficking, cybercrime and extortion. Extradition of criminal offenders was also specifically included among areas where New Delhi and Ottawa intend to strengthen cooperation.
The discussions assume particular significance for India, which has repeatedly raised concerns over the activities of pro-Khalistani groups and individuals based in Canada. New Delhi has maintained that Canadian territory should not be used for activities threatening India’s security, while Canada has stressed the need to address security concerns within its legal and constitutional framework.
New channels planned
Doval and Morrison also agreed to strengthen existing institutional mechanisms and establish additional channels where necessary to improve communication and enable timely sharing of information on issues of mutual concern.
Cyber security and economic security could become new pillars of the bilateral security architecture. The two sides agreed to explore establishing structured dialogues in both areas, reflecting a broader effort to move the relationship beyond the disputes that dominated bilateral engagement in recent years.
The meeting was held under the continuing India-Canada security dialogue at the NSA level. Previous rounds in the format were held in New Delhi in September 2025 and Ottawa in February 2026.
Both sides expressed satisfaction over what they described as sustained and constructive bilateral engagement during the past year, guided by mutual trust, respect for each other’s concerns and sensitivities, and a shared commitment to strengthening relations.
Trade talks advance
The discussions extended beyond security, with the two countries welcoming efforts to advance negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
A CEPA would significantly broaden the economic component of the relationship by addressing trade in goods and services as well as other areas of commercial engagement. Efforts to negotiate a broader trade agreement had suffered during the diplomatic downturn between the two countries.
Doval and Morrison also discussed what the joint statement described as the growing potential for a substantive bilateral defence relationship. The reference indicates that defence cooperation could assume a greater role as India and Canada seek to restore institutional engagement across sectors.
PM-level push
The officials acknowledged the guidance provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Carney during their meetings in New Delhi in March and on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Évian, France, in June.
Carney’s visit to India in March had given fresh momentum to the rapprochement, with the two governments seeking to rebuild political confidence and restore mechanisms that had either stalled or been suspended during the diplomatic crisis.
The two countries have since moved to restore high-level contacts and revive cooperation across security, trade, investment and other areas.
Ties had hit low
India-Canada relations deteriorated sharply after then Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said in September 2023 that Canadian authorities were investigating what he described as credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Indian government and the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
India rejected Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd and motivated”. Nijjar had been designated a terrorist by India, while Canada did not share that designation.
The dispute escalated further in October 2024 after Canadian authorities sought to link Indian diplomats to investigations into Nijjar’s killing and other alleged criminal activity. India rejected the allegations and recalled High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and five other diplomats. New Delhi subsequently expelled six Canadian diplomats.
The allegations relating to Indian government involvement have remained contested, and India has repeatedly sought what it describes as specific and credible evidence from Canadian authorities.
Carney changed trajectory
The political transition in Canada following Carney’s Liberal Party victory in the April 2025 federal election created an opening for the two governments to reset relations.
New Delhi and Ottawa subsequently restored high commissioners to each other’s capitals and revived several bilateral mechanisms. The return of senior diplomatic representation was an important step towards normalising ties after the 2024 confrontation.
Security cooperation has emerged as a crucial test of that reset because the issues that contributed to the earlier deterioration — including separatist extremism, organised crime and allegations involving cross-border criminal networks — have not disappeared.
The Doval-Morrison talks suggest the two governments are now seeking to address those concerns through institutional channels while simultaneously expanding cooperation in trade, defence and emerging security areas. The agreement to strengthen information-sharing and pursue practical cooperation on extradition, cyber security and economic security marks another step in the gradual rebuilding of the India-Canada relationship.