New Delhi [India], February 12 (ANI): India and Canada have agreed to establish liaison officers in each other’s countries to facilitate a more streamlined flow of information, particularly on security-related issues involving crime and drug trafficking, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.
Responding to a question from ANI regarding National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s recent visit to Ottawa, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly media briefing that Doval met his Canadian counterpart as part of ongoing collaboration on security matters between the two nations.
“NSA met his counterpart as part of ongoing collaboration and cooperation that we have on security matters. This is part of our regular dialogue. Both countries have agreed to establish a liaison officer so that we can have a clear and smoother flow of information, better coordination on matters of security such as crimes and drugs,” Jaiswal said.
However, Jaiswal noted that there is no set timeline for appointing the liaison officers.
“Both countries have agreed that there will be liaison officers on both sides. As to when it is going to happen, I don’t have a time frame with me at this point in time. We will let you know once we have any update on that,” he added.
The MEA’s remarks came a day after India and Canada agreed to establish security and law enforcement liaison officers during a meeting between NSA Ajit Doval and Nathalie Drouin, Deputy Clerk and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada, as part of Doval’s visit to Ottawa.
According to an MEA release, during a meeting on Saturday as part of the NSA’s two-day visit, both sides agreed to build on their working relationship.
The statement said the establishment of liaison officers is expected to streamline bilateral communication and facilitate timely information sharing on issues of mutual concern, including the illegal flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl precursors, and transnational organized criminal networks.
“During the meeting, it was agreed that each country would establish security and law enforcement liaison officers and that their respective agencies would build on working relationships,” the statement said.
The discussions were part of the regular bilateral security dialogue between India and Canada, during which both sides acknowledged progress on initiatives aimed at ensuring the safety and security of their citizens and agreed on a shared work plan to guide cooperation on national security and law enforcement priorities.
During the talks, both countries also committed to formalizing cooperation on cybersecurity policy and information sharing and agreed to continue collaboration on matters related to fraud and immigration enforcement, consistent with domestic laws and international obligations. (ANI)
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