India-Canada Defence Dialogue Holds First Edition Virtually

India and Canada opened a fresh channel for military engagement on 3 November 2026, when the first edition of the India-Canada Defence Dialogue was conducted through video conference. The Ministry of Defence placed the outcome on record on 4 November 2026.

Who led the talks

The dialogue had two co-chairs. Dr. Amit Telang, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) in India's Ministry of Defence, led the Indian side. Mr. Scott Millar, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy) in Canada's Department of National Defence, led the Canadian side.

What the two sides took up

Officials compared their defence policies and strategic outlooks and searched for ways to widen bilateral cooperation. Three areas were marked out for closer work:

• Defence industrial cooperation, which came through as the most important area of engagement
• Military-technical cooperation
• Defence research and development

Both delegations also went through specific deliverables meant to give the partnership a firmer shape, and traded assessments of regional and global developments. They agreed to stay in contact so that the proposals raised at the table are carried forward.

The political backing

The talks rested on an understanding reached at the highest level. A Joint Statement put out on 2 March 2026 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had promised wider defence and strategic engagement between the two countries, and this dialogue restated that promise.

Why a first edition matters

An inaugural round creates a standing forum. Once the first meeting is held, later rounds follow at agreed intervals and give both defence establishments a settled place to raise industry tie-ups, technology transfer and joint research instead of waiting for a leaders' visit. For an aspirant the points worth fixing in memory are the word inaugural, the virtual format, the day it was held, the two co-chairs with their designations, and the three areas singled out for deeper work.