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NSA Ajit Doval’s Canada visit signals cautious reset in India-Canada ties

NSA Ajit Doval’s visit to Canada marks a cautious effort by New Delhi and Ottawa to stabilise strained ties through renewed security and law enforcement cooperation.

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India and Canada have taken a measured step toward repairing strained bilateral ties following National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s visit to Ottawa last week. The NSA-level engagement marks one of the most substantive security interactions between the two countries in recent years and signals a cautious return to dialogue after a prolonged diplomatic freeze.

Doval’s visit, held from February 6 to 7, comes against the backdrop of tensions that followed a diplomatic row in 2023 over the killing of a Khalistani separatist. While both sides described the talks as part of routine bilateral engagement, officials and analysts see the timing as significant, indicating a deliberate effort to stabilise relations.

Focus on security and law enforcement cooperation

During the visit, Doval held meetings with Canada’s Deputy Clerk and National Security and Intelligence Adviser to the Prime Minister, Nathalie Drouin, and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. The discussions centred on strengthening cooperation in national security and law enforcement, with an emphasis on practical and result-oriented collaboration.

According to India’s official statement, both sides acknowledged progress on initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security of their citizens. They also agreed on a shared work plan to guide future cooperation, underscoring a mutual intent to rebuild trust through structured engagement.

Canada’s readout echoed this approach, highlighting agreement on concrete steps rather than broad political signalling. A key outcome of the meetings was the decision to establish security and law-enforcement liaison officers in each other’s countries, a move expected to streamline communication and improve information-sharing.

Cooperation on cyber threats, drugs and immigration enforcement

Officials said the liaison mechanism would help address issues such as transnational organised crime, the illegal flow of drugs—including fentanyl precursors—and other cross-border security challenges. These concerns have increasingly featured in bilateral discussions between New Delhi and Ottawa.

The talks also covered cooperation on cybersecurity policy and the sharing of information related to cyber threats. Continued engagement on fraud prevention and immigration enforcement was discussed as well, with both sides stressing that collaboration would remain aligned with domestic laws and international obligations.

The careful wording of official statements reflects sensitivity to past disputes and the need for institutional safeguards as ties are gradually rebuilt.

Message on extremism and diplomatic reset

Beyond the immediate outcomes, Doval’s visit is being viewed as a broader signal that extremist groups, including Khalistani-linked networks, do not enjoy official backing under the current Canadian government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The engagement is also seen as laying the groundwork for a possible prime ministerial-level visit. Officials in both capitals are treating the NSA talks as an important precursor to Carney’s likely visit to India next month, which would mark the first such engagement since relations deteriorated sharply.

Background of strained ties

India-Canada relations hit a low point during the tenure of former prime minister Justin Trudeau, particularly after his 2023 allegations of a potential Indian link to the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India had rejected the claims as “absurd,” leading to mutual recriminations and downgraded diplomatic engagement.

Against that backdrop, the resumption of structured security dialogue is being interpreted as a sign that both sides are seeking to move past recent turbulence. Analysts note that cooperation in technical and functional areas such as law enforcement and cybersecurity could help rebuild confidence and create momentum for broader political engagement.

While the visit does not resolve all outstanding issues, it reflects a willingness to re-engage seriously. With high-level political contact potentially on the horizon, India and Canada appear to be cautiously steering their relationship back toward a more stable and predictable footing.

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India envoy Dinesh Trivedi meets PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman 

India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman amid diplomatic tensions.

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India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, a day after his meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka.

According to the High Commission of India in Bangladesh, Trivedi sought PM Modi’s guidance on further strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh through a constructive and people-centric approach.

The meeting came a day after Trivedi held discussions with Tarique Rahman on matters of mutual interest and ways to advance ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Dinesh Trivedi Meets Bangladesh PM

During his meeting with Tarique Rahman on Monday, Trivedi conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Modi and reiterated India’s commitment to working with the Bangladeshi administration and its people in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and explored avenues for strengthening India-Bangladesh relations with a people-centric approach.

The engagement took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Trivedi also shared his experience of serving in Dhaka over the previous two months.

Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request

The meeting assumed significance as Bangladesh has expressed hope that India will expedite the extradition process involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted following a student-led uprising in 2024.

According to a statement issued by the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka also reiterated its request for India to return individuals it alleges were involved in the killing of Shahid Osman Hadi, a prominent figure associated with the July uprising who was shot on December 12, 2025.

Tarique Rahman stressed the need to create a suitable environment to take forward relations between Bangladesh and India.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and other officials attended the meeting.

India-Bangladesh Ties Amid Diplomatic Friction

The latest high-level engagements come amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries following a virtual press interaction by Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on August 5.

The event, organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia to mark the second anniversary of her ouster, prompted strong objections from Dhaka.

During the interaction, Hasina said she remained determined to return to Bangladesh in December and restore democracy, while acknowledging the possibility of imprisonment or a death sentence upon her return.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently registered a strong protest and said the development had affected public sentiment and complicated efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

India has said the government had no involvement in the event. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was organised by a private media entity and clarified that New Delhi did not endorse views expressed at the forum.

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Trump, PM Modi will resolve tariff issue over Russian oil trade, says US official

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue over US tariff threats linked to India’s Russian oil trade.

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US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue surrounding the threat of US tariffs linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said on Tuesday.

Navarro’s remarks came days after the US Senate passed a bill authorising the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five purchasers of Russian oil. The measure argues that such purchases directly contribute to financing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Navarro comments on India’s Russian oil trade

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Navarro said India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia before the Ukraine war began in 2022.

He alleged that India became heavily involved in the trade after Russia’s invasion and sold refined products on behalf of Russia, which he said helped support the Russian war effort.

“Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards it got heavily involved,” Navarro said.

The White House adviser also claimed that the issue had since been resolved and attributed some of the shift in India’s Russian oil trade to an opinion article he recently wrote in the Financial Times.

Trump and Modi will resolve issue, Navarro says

Navarro said the relationship between Trump and Modi would help address the tariff-related issue.

“The president and your prime minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves,” he said, adding that it was not his place to intervene.

His comments come amid US concerns over countries purchasing Russian oil and proposed measures aimed at imposing additional tariffs on major buyers.

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US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India-China face 100% tariff risk

The US Senate has passed a Russia sanctions bill that could allow 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

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The US Senate has approved a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China.

The legislation was passed by an 86-11 vote and will now move to the US House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on August 31.

The bill is named in honour of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine who died on July 11. Graham had pushed for tougher sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

India and China among major Russian energy buyers

The legislation gives the US president the power to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.

India and China are among those countries, along with Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.

The bill also contains an exception for countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies.

What does the Russia sanctions bill contain?

Apart from the proposed tariffs, the legislation includes sanctions targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military officials, financial institutions and energy projects.

The bill would also expand US sanctions to older and reflagged oil tankers allegedly used by Moscow to bypass existing restrictions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

At the same time, the White House would have the option to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.

Bill also extends Iran sanctions law

The legislation also contains a provision related to Iran. It would extend the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 until 2031.

The law penalises companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector.

The bill’s passage in the Senate marks the next step in the US legislative process, but it still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it can move forward.

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