Canada has accused India and Pakistan of interfering in its elections, triggering a vehement denial from India. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) released an unclassified summary as part of a federal inquiry into potential foreign interference, alleging covert activities by both countries during the 2019 and 2021 general elections. India has dismissed these allegations as baseless and instead accused Canada of meddling in its internal affairs.
The CSIS summary claims that in 2021, the Indian government targeted specific electoral districts with Indian-origin voters sympathetic to the Khalistani movement or pro-Pakistan stances. It suggests that a government proxy agent may have attempted to manipulate democratic processes through undisclosed financial support to favoured candidates.
Similarly, in 2019, officials from the Pakistani government allegedly engaged in clandestine activities to advance Pakistan’s interests within Canada’s political landscape.
India maintains its commitment to non-interference in the democratic processes of other nations. However, the Canadian inquiry has strained relations between the two countries.
The investigation was launched following leaked intelligence reports that suggested Chinese attempts to influence Canadian elections. The commissioner for the inquiry was tasked with examining potential interference by various actors, including India, China, Russia, and others.
These allegations, coupled with previous tensions surrounding the killing of a Khalistani terrorist on Canadian soil, have further frayed India-Canada relations. The recent designation of India as a “foreign threat” by Canadian intelligence has added to the diplomatic strain between the two nations.
