On Sunday, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held talks with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. He also led a meeting with top global intelligence leaders to discuss ways to improve cooperation on security challenges, including terrorism and risks from emerging technologies.

During their private meeting, Doval and Gabbard focused on enhancing intelligence sharing and strengthening collaboration in the security sector, aligned with the India-US global strategic partnership. Gabbard made her first high-level visit to India as a top official in the Donald Trump administration, arriving in the nation's capital early Sunday for a two-and-a-half-day visit. Top sources informed PTI that the Doval-Gabbard meeting was a "good discussion." Top intelligence officials from several countries, including the US Director of National Intelligence, Canadian spy chief Daniel Rogers and UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, attended a security conclave hosted by India.

The discussions took place behind closed doors, and no official details were released. However, sources revealed that the meeting focused on intelligence sharing and cooperation to combat terrorism and emerging technological threats. Key topics also included security in the Indo-Pacific region, efforts to counter terror financing and money laundering, as well as issues related to extradition and immigration. Indian authorities voiced concerns about anti-India groups, including pro-Khalistan elements, operating from foreign countries.

Intelligence chiefs from Australia, Germany, New Zealand, and several other friendly nations reportedly attended the conclave. Gabbard is currently visiting India as part of her multi-nation tour, which includes stops in Japan, Thailand and France. The US intelligence chief is scheduled to speak at the Raisina Dialogue on Tuesday. Last month, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington DC, Gabbard met with him.

During their discussions, the intelligence chiefs reportedly talked about various global issues, including the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East. The visit of Rogers, the head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), to India comes at a time when relations between the two countries remain tense due to the Hardeep Singh Nijjar case. In September 2023, then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made accusations of the "potential" involvement of Indian operatives in the execution of Nijjar on Canadian soil, which severely strained relations between India and Canada. India strongly denied these allegations, calling them "absurd." Relations worsened further in the second half of the year when Canada accused several Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, of being linked to Nijjar's murder.

Last October, Canada expelled Mr. Verma along with five other diplomats. In response, New Delhi also expelled Canadian Charge d'Affaires Stewart Wheeler and five other diplomats. This issue is likely to be discussed during Doval's meeting with Rogers. This marks Gabbard's second foreign visit since becoming the Director of National Intelligence. Her first international trip was to Germany last month, where she attended the Munich Security Conference.