Top intelligence officials from around 20 nations are set to convene in the national capital this weekend for a high-level security conclave, with discussions centered on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East. The meeting, led by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, will also delve into counterterrorism strategies and emerging security threats.
Among the prominent attendees is US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Director Daniel Rogers, and MI6 Chief Richard Moore from the UK. Notably, Rogers’ visit comes at a time of strained relations between India and Canada following allegations by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding Indian involvement in the 2023 killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver.
A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the discussions will also address issues such as terror financing and cybercrimes. Enhancing intelligence-sharing mechanisms to combat global terrorism and transnational crimes is another key focus of the conclave.
Additionally, the event will provide a platform for intelligence and security chiefs, including those from Australia, Germany, and New Zealand, to engage in strategic discussions. On the sidelines, NSA Doval is expected to hold bilateral talks with several of his counterparts.
US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard is scheduled to arrive in India on Saturday as part of her broader Indo-Pacific tour, which includes stops in Japan, Thailand, and France. Her visit marks the first high-level engagement with India from a top official of the Donald Trump administration. Besides participating in the security conclave, she is also expected to speak at the Raisina Dialogue and meet NSA Doval for a separate discussion.
During these engagements, Gabbard is likely to emphasize the need for deeper US-India collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in light of China’s increasing assertiveness in the region.
There is also speculation about whether the US and India will address the alleged assassination plot against Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. In November 2023, US prosecutors charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta with conspiring with an Indian government official in an attempt to eliminate Pannun in New York. Subsequently, an Indian government-initiated probe recommended legal action against an individual.
Last month, Gabbard met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington DC, and the upcoming conclave is seen as an opportunity for India to clarify its position on the Pannun and Nijjar cases.
Tensions between India and Canada escalated following Trudeau’s accusations in September 2023 of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing. New Delhi dismissed the claims as “absurd,” but the diplomatic fallout deepened when Canada linked multiple Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, to the incident.
In response to the standoff, Canada expelled Verma and five other Indian diplomats in October last year. India retaliated by expelling Canadian Charge d’Affaires Stewart Wheeler and five other diplomats, further straining bilateral ties.
The upcoming security conclave is expected to serve as a crucial forum for India to engage with global intelligence leaders, address key security concerns, and navigate sensitive geopolitical challenges.
