India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, held bilateral talks with US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, on Sunday, focusing on strengthening intelligence sharing and security cooperation. Doval also led a global intelligence conclave, where top security officials from several countries—including Canada and the UK—gathered to discuss critical security concerns.

India-US Dialogue on Security Cooperation: According to official sources, Doval and Gabbard had an in-depth discussion on enhancing intelligence collaboration under the India-US strategic partnership. Their conversation primarily revolved around counterterrorism, emerging technological threats, and Indo-Pacific security challenges.

Gabbard arrived in New Delhi early Sunday for a two-and-a-half-day visit, marking her first high-level visit to India as a key official in the Trump administration. The intelligence conclave hosted by India brought together top security officials from countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and New Zealand. While discussions were held behind closed doors, sources revealed that key topics included countering terror financing, preventing money laundering, and extradition policies. Additionally, Indian officials raised concerns over anti-India groups operating from foreign nations, particularly pro-Khalistan organizations.

Gabbard’s International Tour: As part of her multi-nation diplomatic tour, Gabbard is visiting Japan, Thailand, and France. On Tuesday, she is set to address the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi. This marks her second foreign trip since assuming office as US intelligence chief, following her visit to Germany for the Munich Security Conference last month. Notably, she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington DC during his visit to the US last month. Intelligence officials at the conclave also reportedly discussed major global conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and tensions in West Asia.

India-Canada Tensions Over Nijjar Case: The ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada surfaced once again with the visit of Canadian spy chief Daniel Rogers to New Delhi. Relations between the two nations have been strained since former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of potential involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in September 2023—a claim India strongly dismissed as "baseless and absurd."

Matters escalated further last October when Canada expelled several Indian diplomats, prompting India to remove Canadian diplomat Stewart Wheeler and five others in retaliation. With Rogers in India, sources suggest that these issues will be on the agenda when he meets Doval. The Doval-Gabbard meeting and intelligence conclave highlight India’s growing role in global security discussions, with pressing issues like terrorism, geopolitical tensions, and intelligence collaboration taking center stage.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.