India-Canada Officials Meet in Delhi to Address Security Ties, Khalistani Concerns

Speedy Summary

• Event: Indian and Canadian National Security Advisors (NSAs) held talks in Delhi on September 18, 2025.
• Participants: India’s NSA Ajit Doval and Canada’s NSA Nathalie Drouin; included Canadian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs David Morrison, police officials, and diplomats.
• Agenda:

– Enhanced bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism.- Sharing intelligence facts and discussing extraditions of wanted Khalistani activists linked to cases in India.

• Background:

– Discussions follow strained ties since Canada alleged involvement of Indian agents in the assassination of Khalistani activist Harjeet Singh Nijjar near a Toronto gurudwara in June 2023.
– Ties have improved after Indian PM Modi attended the G-7 Summit earlier this year, invited by Canadian PM Mark Carney.

• Recent Developments:

– A day prior to the talks,a Khalistani group protested outside India’s Vancouver consulate alleging surveillance activities and targeting new High Commissioner Dinesh patnaik through posters.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The meeting between India’s NSA Ajit Doval and Canada’s NSA Nathalie Drouin signals efforts by both nations to repair fractured diplomatic relations following contentious allegations over the Nijjar case. The shift away from focusing on past accusations toward proactive cooperation on terrorism-related issues exemplifies a pragmatic approach aimed at restoring trust.

India’s call for extradition of Khalistani separatists underscores its continued concerns about anti-national elements operating from Canadian soil. Meanwhile, ongoing security challenges-highlighted by demonstrations against diplomatic missions-indicate persistent tensions that demand vigilance from both sides.

This advancement highlights a delicate phase where bilateral ties are being cautiously rebuilt while addressing complex issues like sovereignty and international law enforcement collaboration. Effective cooperation could benefit broader geopolitical stability but would require sustained commitment from both governments.

Read more: The Hindu