Key Takeaways
- Canada NSA, minister Nathalie Drouin and David Morrison met Indian counterparts in New Delhi to begin a diplomatic reset.
- Conversations followed high-level meetings at the G7 and focused on reactivating dialogue across security, trade and consular channels.
- The visit comes after leaks and mutual recriminations in late 2024 that damaged trust between Ottawa and New Delhi.
- Both sides welcomed progress since June 2025, including the return of High Commissioners, and flagged cooperation on defence, critical minerals and civil nuclear energy.
- India pressed Canada to safeguard its diplomatic missions and stressed that host governments are responsible for embassy security.
Arrival and purpose.
Canada NSA, minister Nathalie Drouin and Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison arrived in New Delhi with a clear brief: reopen regular security and diplomatic channels and follow up on leadership talks held on the sidelines of the G7 summit.
Who they met.
The Canadian delegation held talks with India’s National Security Adviser and Foreign Secretary, a series of meetings the Ministry of External Affairs described as part of routine bilateral security consultations and a chance to translate G7-level understandings into practical steps.
The trigger for talks.
The visit comes after a year of strained relations sparked in September 2024, when allegations linked India to the killing of a separatist figure in Canada. New Delhi rejected those claims and relations worsened after leaked comments later confirmed by Canadian officials.
Canada NSA, minister
The October leak and fallout.
On October 29 last year, Canadian officials acknowledged providing information to a U.S. newspaper that named an Indian minister in connection with operations targeting Sikh activists in Canada — a disclosure New Delhi called “absurd and baseless” and which prompted formal diplomatic protests.
Steps toward normalisation.
Since June 2025 both capitals have moved to repair ties: High Commissioners returned to their posts, and leaders agreed to pursue a “constructive and balanced partnership” — commitments the Delhibound Canadian delegation sought to operationalize.
Agenda items discussed.
Talks covered a wide agenda: trade, defence cooperation, energy and civil nuclear links, critical minerals, space and technology, law enforcement collaboration, and mechanisms to prevent and manage diaspora-related tensions.
Security of missions.
India raised concerns about pro-Khalistan activity targeting Indian diplomatic sites in Canada, reiterating that the host country bears responsibility for protecting foreign missions and asking Ottawa to ensure adequate security.
Diplomatic tone and language.
Both sides emphasised shared democratic values, respect for sovereignty, and a desire to avoid escalation — signalling a pragmatic approach that accepts disagreement but seeks institutional ways to manage it.
Why Washington will watch.
For the United States and other partners, a stable India-Canada relationship matters for trade, intelligence sharing and regional diplomacy; Washington is likely to view these thawing steps as beneficial to broader Western coordination.
What comes next.
Officials said the meetings will be followed by working-level exchanges to reinstate cross-sector dialogue mechanisms. Success will depend on consistent, verifiable steps on security cooperation, transparent investigations where required, and measures to protect diplomatic premises.
Canada NSA, minister Bottom line
The visit by the Canada NSA, minister signals both capitals’ willingness to move beyond last year’s crisis and rebuild a practical, issue-based partnership. The work now shifts to detailed implementation: restoring trust, safeguarding diplomatic sites, and translating summit promises into routine cooperation.