Canada Agree to Strengthen Cooperation on National Security, Law Enforcement & Cybersecurity

During a high-level security dialogue in Ottawa between India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin, India and Canada agreed on a shared work plan to enhance bilateral cooperation on national security, law enforcement, and cybersecurity.

Key Highlights

Shared Work Plan on Security Cooperation

India and Canada agreed to formulate a shared work plan to guide cooperation on national security, law enforcement, and cybersecurity, enabling practical collaboration on mutual priorities.

Establishment of Liaison Officers

Both countries will appoint security and law-enforcement liaison officers in each other’s territory to streamline communication and improve timely information sharing on threats like drug trafficking, organised crime, and cyber threats.

Focus on Cybersecurity Cooperation

The two sides committed to formalising cooperation on cybersecurity policy and enhancing information exchange on cyber threats in line with domestic laws and international obligations.

Other Priority Areas

Discussions also covered cooperation on issues such as fraud prevention and immigration enforcement, ensuring efforts are consistent with legal frameworks in both countries

Regular Security Dialogue

The agreement was part of a regular bilateral security dialogue, reflecting ongoing efforts to rebuild institutional security links after past diplomatic tensions.

Background of India–Canada Relations

India–Canada relations experienced strain after diplomatic tensions in 2023 over the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, which India denied; both sides have since taken steps to normalise ties.

Restoring full diplomatic engagement included returning high commissioners in both capitals and resuming high-level dialogues.

Transnational Security Challenges

Fentanyl and precursors: Canada faces a severe public health crisis due to fentanyl-related overdoses; cooperation with India helps curb illegal drug flows across borders.

Transnational organised crime: Liaison mechanisms improve joint responses to criminal networks operating across jurisdictions.

Cybersecurity Frameworks

India’s National Cyber Security Policy (2013) aims to protect critical information infrastructure and facilitate information sharing to counter cyber attacks.

The National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) in India coordinates real-time responses to cyber threats; cooperation with Canada can support shared threat intelligence.

Canada is a signatory to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime which provides a legal framework for international cooperation in cybercrime investigations.

Security Cooperation Mechanisms

Liaison officers act as points of contact between national agencies, facilitating direct communication and coordination on urgent threats.

Cybersecurity cooperation includes sharing best practices, threat data, and coordinated responses to cyber incidents.