Indian and Canadian National Security Advisors — Nathalie G Drouin and Ajit Doval — discussed a host of issues on September 18.

Some of the pertinent talking points revolved around the activities of pro-Khalistan separatists, Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing, the co-operation in the counter-terrorism domain as well as Indian government’s demands for handing over those involved in terrorism and separatist activities against India, The Indian Express has learnt.

This conversation was also a way to steer clear of the difficult exchanges that followed Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s allegations about the Indian establishment’s “potential” involvement in Nijjar’s killing.

Story continues below this ad

The agenda of the conversation between the NSAs was different compared to the September 19 bilateral talk between Deputy Foreign minister David Morrison, the Ministry of External Affairs officials and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

The MEA said on Saturday: “NSA Ajit Doval met his counterpart Nathalie G. Drouin, National Security and Intelligence Adviser of Canada on 18 September 2025 in New Delhi. The visit was a part of the regular bilateral security dialogue between the two sides. It was also an opportunity to follow up on the discussions between PM Modi and Prime Minister Carney on the side-lines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, in Alberta, Canada.”

It said that “both sides acknowledged the clear momentum for rebuilding trust and expanding cooperation at the highest levels of political leadership. They had productive discussions on advancing the bilateral relationship including in areas such as counter terrorism, combating transnational organised crime and intelligence exchanges”. The specific references to counter-terrorism and transnational organised crime indicate that issues related to pro-Khalistan activities – a clear threat to Indian interests – was part of the exchange.

It said, “They agreed to strengthen security cooperation and further reinforce existing mechanisms of engagement.”

Story continues below this ad

The two NSAs also discussed the priority areas for future cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global developments. The statement said the two sides agreed to work closely and adopt a collaborative approach towards a new chapter in bilateral relations.

Expand

Shubhajit Roy


twitter

Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, has been a journalist for more than 25 years now. Roy joined The Indian Express in October 2003 and has been reporting on foreign affairs for more than 17 years now. Based in Delhi, he has also led the National government and political bureau at The Indian Express in Delhi — a team of reporters who cover the national government and politics for the newspaper. He has got the Ramnath Goenka Journalism award for Excellence in Journalism ‘2016. He got this award for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka and its aftermath. He also got the IIMCAA Award for the Journalist of the Year, 2022, (Jury’s special mention) for his coverage of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 — he was one of the few Indian journalists in Kabul and the only mainstream newspaper to have covered the Taliban’s capture of power in mid-August, 2021. … Read More

Stay updated with the latest – Click here to follow us on Instagram

© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd