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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.

Published

8 months ago

February 9, 2026

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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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Putin praises PM Modi, says he has very good ideas on Ukraine war

Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for repeatedly raising the need to end the Ukraine war, describing his ideas for a settlement as “very good”.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 2, 2026

APNLive Desk

Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his continued efforts to promote an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, saying the Indian leader has “very good ideas” aimed at finding a mutually acceptable solution.

Putin made the remarks while addressing the Valdai Forum of international Russia experts, where he spoke about Modi’s repeated efforts to raise the issue of ending the conflict.

What Putin said about PM Modi

Putin said Modi has continued to raise the question of ending the conflict despite the close and friendly relationship between India and Russia.

According to Putin, the Prime Minister has shown a strong interest in finding a solution and has ideas that could help identify mutually acceptable ways to resolve the conflict.

Putin also described India’s position as neutral while highlighting Modi’s interest in bringing the conflict to an end through peaceful means.

The Russian president expressed gratitude to Modi for his ideas and his desire to see the conflict end as soon as possible.

Modi’s position on the Ukraine war

PM Modi has repeatedly called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts, including during his meetings with Putin.

During their September 11 meeting in New Delhi, Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward for resolving conflicts.

Modi had also told Putin during their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek that the situation needed to move from “endless war” towards an end to the war.

India has consistently maintained that conflicts should be addressed through dialogue and peaceful means, with Modi previously describing the present period as not being an era of war.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict began in February 2022 and has continued despite repeated diplomatic efforts to seek a resolution.

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S Jaishankar calls Pakistan a “serial practitioner of terrorism” at UN

S Jaishankar criticised Pakistan at the UN General Assembly, referring to a “serial practitioner of terrorism” and warning against attempts to normalise terrorism.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 27, 2026

APNLive Desk

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticised Pakistan during his address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying that a “serial practitioner of terrorism” had misrepresented facts and that arguments were being made to normalise terrorism.

Jaishankar’s remarks came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the UN General Assembly and spoke about the 2025 military confrontation between India and Pakistan.

Jaishankar’s message to Pakistan

Referring to Pakistan without naming it directly in that remark, Jaishankar said a “serial practitioner of terrorism” had misrepresented facts before the UN General Assembly.

He said arguments were being made to normalise terrorism and claim immunity from its consequences, adding that such an approach would not stand.

Jaishankar reiterated India’s position that the country would exercise its right to defend itself against terrorism.

He also said that friendship and goodwill could not coexist with terrorism and that understandings based on such circumstances would naturally be called into question.

“It is for the perpetrator of terrorism to mend its ways,” Jaishankar said.

India stresses zero tolerance on terrorism

Jaishankar described terrorism as a persistent threat to peace and called for governments involved in cross-border terrorism to be held accountable.

He also stressed that there should be no dilution in India’s zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism and particularly called for greater attention to its financial aspects.

His remarks came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif referred to the 2025 India-Pakistan military confrontation during his UN General Assembly address.

Jaishankar backs two-state solution for Palestine

During his UN address, Jaishankar also spoke about the situation in West Asia and said India was prepared to contribute to efforts addressing food and energy security amid continuing tensions and violence.

On the Palestine issue, he reiterated India’s longstanding support for a two-state solution.

Jaishankar said India was also contributing humanitarian assistance and relief efforts for the Palestinian people.

He also warned about continuing threats and pressures around the world and stressed the need for greater stability, security and predictability.

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Trump rejects Iran’s 7-day peace plan, says deal can come after US polls

US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s seven-day proposal to end hostilities and indicated that a deal could come after the US midterm elections in November.

Published

3 weeks ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s latest proposal aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing conflict, while indicating that a possible agreement could come after the US midterm elections in November.

Iran had proposed a seven-day framework under which hostilities could be brought to an end, the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened and negotiations over its nuclear programme could resume.

Iran’s seven-day proposal

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had put forward the proposal through intermediaries. Under the plan, the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened by the end of the seventh day if specified conditions were met, while broader nuclear discussions would restart.

The proposal was based largely on an earlier understanding reached between Washington and Tehran, but Iran sought to implement the latest framework much faster. The earlier arrangement had provided a longer period for negotiations.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important waterway for global energy shipments, making its reopening a key element of any effort to ease the wider conflict.

Trump points to US midterm elections

Trump, speaking at the United Nations, showed no indication that he was ready to immediately resume negotiations on the terms proposed by Tehran.

He called for the economic isolation of Iran and said he believed a deal could be reached after the US midterm elections in November. Trump also said Iran was waiting to see how he performed in the midterm elections.

The remarks came as Iranian officials signalled that they remained open to diplomacy and described the UN General Assembly as an opportunity to revive negotiations.

Nuclear talks remain part of Iran proposal

Iran’s latest plan links the easing of hostilities with the resumption of negotiations over its nuclear programme.

The proposal follows the collapse of an earlier US-Iran arrangement. According to reporting on the latest proposal, the new framework is intended to compress the timeline for implementing commitments that had previously been discussed by the two sides.

For now, Trump’s remarks indicate that Washington is not accepting Tehran’s seven-day framework as presented, while Iran continues to put diplomacy and negotiations forward as part of its proposal.