Framework for Cooperation on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism

New Delhi, February 23, 2018 

As multi-cultural, diverse, pluralistic societies, committed to democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law, India and Canada recognize the grave challenges posed by terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization to violence. 

Recalling that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations, whenever, wherever and by whomever committed, the National Security Advisor of India and the National Security and Intelligence Advisor of Canada reaffirmed the shared resolve of both India and Canada to combat terrorism and violent extremism in all their forms and manifestations. 

They reviewed the ongoing collaboration between the law enforcement and security agencies of both countries and resolved to step up their bilateral cooperation under the supervision of the National Security Advisor’s Dialogue, the Joint Working Group on Counter-terrorism and its Experts' Sub-Group (the “Sub-Group”). 

They recognized the urgent imperative to disrupt recruitment, terrorist movements and the flow of Foreign Terrorist Fighters, address the threat posed by cross-border and state-sponsored terrorism, stop sources of terrorist financing, dismantle terrorist infrastructure and prevent supply of arms to terrorists and counter violent extremism and radicalization to violence. They emphasized the need to deny operating space to terrorist and violent extremist groups. 

They committed to work together to neutralize the threats emanating from terrorist groups such as Al Qaida, ISIS, the Haqqani Network, LeT, JeM, Babbar Khalsa International, and the International Sikh Youth Federation.

To this end, they committed to further develop exchanges and facilitate effective cooperation in the fields of security, finance, justice, and law enforcement, including, where appropriate, at the operational level. 

Pursuant to the above, India and Canada have agreed on this Framework for Cooperation on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism (the “Framework”), the objective of which is to facilitate effective cooperation between law enforcement and security agencies and legal and policy practitioners. 

The framework is based on fundamental respect for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of India and Canada. 

The Framework consists of institutionalized cooperation between the National Security Council Secretariat of the Republic of India and the office of Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Advisor, and regular exchanges and coordination between India and Canada. It will be guided by the joint National Security Advisor’s Dialogue. 

The National Security Advisor of India and the National Security and Intelligence Advisor of Canada further acknowledged their partnership and commitment to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism capacity-building and to contribute to international efforts through the UN mechanisms and initiatives as well as groupings such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the Financial Action Task Force, and the G-20.