India and Canada Hold Inaugural Defence Dialogue

India and Canada held their inaugural Defence Dialogue virtually on 3 November 2026. Dr Amit Telang, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) in India’s Ministry of Defence, and Scott Millar, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy) in Canada’s Department of National Defence, co-chaired the meeting.

Cooperation Priorities

The two sides identified defence industrial cooperation, military-technical cooperation, and defence research and development as priority areas. They exchanged views on their defence policies, strategic outlooks, and regional and global issues, and discussed specific deliverables to advance the partnership.

Wider Bilateral Engagement

The dialogue reaffirmed the commitment to expand defence and strategic engagement made in a joint statement by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Mark Carney on 2 March 2026. It followed Carney’s visit to India in February–March 2026, after bilateral ties reached what was described as a “historic nadir” in 2023. Both countries agreed to continue discussions and proposals on defence cooperation.

Important Facts for Exams

• Indian ministry structure: India’s Ministry of Defence has five principal departments: Defence, Military Affairs, Defence Production, Defence Research and Development, and Ex-servicemen Welfare.
• Civil–military separation: Canada’s Department of National Defence is a civilian public-service organisation; the Canadian Armed Forces is separate and is not part of the department.
• Industry participants: Defence production can involve private firms, state-owned enterprises, public organisations, and scientific or academic institutions, spanning research, engineering, production and servicing.