The inaugural edition of India–Canada Defence Dialogue was held virtually on 3 November 2026. The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Amit Telang, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence, and Mr. Scott Millar, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy), Department of National Defence, Canada.
The Dialogue provided an opportunity to exchange views on respective defence policies and strategic outlooks, and to explore avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation. Defence industrial cooperation emerged as an important area of engagement, alongside military-technical cooperation and defence research and development, which were identified as priority areas for further collaboration.
The Dialogue reaffirmed the shared commitment at the leadership level to expand defence and strategic engagement between the two countries, as reflected in the Joint Statement issued on 2 March 2026 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Mr. Mark Carney.
Both sides also discussed specific deliverables to advance and strengthen the partnership in a comprehensive manner. The two sides exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues. They agreed to remain in touch to take forward the discussions and proposals for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation
Noah Note: Canada and India have reopened the door to defence dialogue between our two countries, and with it, a pathway previously lost to Canada’s Industry also reopens. India, and Indian Industry have almost always had a love for Canada when it came to defence equipment, and that never changed.
I make note of India and Stryker, as that was certainly a deal many had big hope for, but it is fsr from the only avenue of collaboration. Indian Industry is looking at the Canadian market, both to sell but also to collaborate deeper in several critical areas including aerospace, sensors, autonomous systems, space etc.
It'll be very interesting to see hoe this plays as we approach Prime Minister Modi's visit to Canada.