Canadian Minister Sidhu Affirms Security Dialogue with India Amid Khalistani Extremism Concerns

Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu has reaffirmed Ottawa's commitment to community safety and ongoing law enforcement dialogue with India. His remarks follow a formal India-Canada National Security Adviser-level Security Dialogue held on October 8, during which both nations agreed to cooperate on combating transnational crime, terrorism, cybercrime, and other security threats. The two countries also reviewed their shared Security Work Plan and discussed establishing structured mechanisms for cybersecurity and economic security dialogue.

Speaking on Wednesday, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu conveyed that the government had pledged to keep communities safe while continuing talks with India on law enforcement and security matters, with questions around Khalistani extremism forming part of the backdrop to those discussions. Sidhu told a news channel that bilateral talks were ongoing across multiple levels to address security-related concerns, and added that any form of protest activity should remain free of violence — noting that law enforcement exchanges between the two countries were already under way. A security dialogue among the top authorities was held, as had been reported the previous week. Sidhu expressed a commitment to protecting residents across the affected communities. The minister, speaking with reference to unrest in both nations, conveyed that public demonstrations form a natural part of how established democracies function, while adding that any such activity ought to unfold without resorting to violence. In the Canadian context, the matter carries notable weight. Protest rights, he noted, were fully within what the situation permitted. Sidhu reiterated a pledge to preserve national cohesion and protect community safety, noting that dialogue with New Delhi would continue, while also conveying through a statement that the administration views a unified Canada as one capable of serving all its residents. He expressed a commitment to ongoing community safety efforts and indicated that those conversations would continue. The timing of those remarks aligns with a push by both India and Canada to rebuild ties and deepen collaboration on security and law enforcement matters. A joint statement released following the India-Canada National Security Adviser-level Security Dialogue on 8 October set out plans for the two nations to strengthen cooperation across a range of shared law-enforcement concerns, including transnational organised crime, terrorism, violent extremism, the trafficking of people and narcotics, cybercrime, extortion, and the handover of criminal offenders between the two countries. Arranged at Ajit Doval's invitation, the talks in New Delhi took place shortly after David Morrison — who serves as Senior Diplomatic and International Affairs Advisor to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney — wrapped up a three-day trip running from October 5 through 7. Talks between the two parties covered ground made under the Security Work Plan they had jointly adopted in February 2026, with both sides committing to bolster the frameworks and data-exchange channels that govern areas of shared interest. Talks also touched on the possibility of establishing formal channels for dialogue covering cybersecurity and economic security, alongside a renewed pledge to keep cooperation going.

Canadian Minister Sidhu Affirms Security Dialogue with India Amid Khalistani Extremism Concerns

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Canadian Minister Sidhu Affirms Security Dialogue with India Amid Khalistani Extremism Concerns

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