Why Canada has named India as ‘foreign threat’ in elections

Canada’s national security agency reportedly identified India as having potentially interfered in the North American country’s elections. An intelligence report recently accessed by Canadian media has accused India and China of “foreign interference”. New Delhi is yet to react to the development. This comes amid strained ties between the two countries following Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau’s allegation last September linking “Indian government agents” to the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. What does Canada’s intelligence report say about India and China? Let’s take a closer look. On India The Canadian Security Intelligence Service has named India as a “foreign interference threat”, India Today reported citing Canada’s Global News. A briefing note accessed by the Canadian news outlet was titled “Briefing to the Minister of Democratic Institutions on Foreign Interference”. The note quoted by Global News stated: “India engages in FI (foreign interference) activities.” The declassified document dated 24 February 2023 alleged India’s interference would worsen, saying the government “must do more to protect Canada’s robust democratic institutions and processes”, as per an Independent report. The document obtained by the Canadian broadcaster had three pages about India but the rest were redacted, the British online newspaper report added. [caption id=“attachment_13685812” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Canada is probing foreign interference allegations in 2019 and 2021 elections. AFP File Photo[/caption] While China and Russia are already suspected of meddling in the North American nation’s politics, this is the first time that Canada has accused India of election interference. Indian officials have previously denied any role in influencing elections in Canada. “As a democratic nation, we don’t interfere in the affairs of other democracies,” an official had told Hindustan Times (HT) earlier. On China Canada’s intelligence report said China was “by far the most significant threat" to the North American country. The report stated: “We know that the PRC (People’s Republic of China) sought to clandestinely and deceptively influence the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.” It further alleged that Beijing’s activities “are broad in scope and significant in the level of expended resources”, adding that they are “pervasive, and directed against all levels of government and civil society across the country”. China has earlier denied the charges and asked Ottawa to “stop hyping up China-related lies and false information”. What’s going on? Last September, the Trudeau government set up an inquiry commission into foreign interference allegations in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 elections. A public probe was sought after leaked intelligence documents alleged China’s meddling in Canadian elections. The independent commission led by Quebec Judge Marie-Josee Hogue is conducting the probe. As per Reuters, the panel asked the Trudeau government on 25 January to share information over allegations of meddling in elections by India. The commission said in a statement that it had asked Canadian government to provide documents “relating to alleged interference by India related to the 2019 and 2021 elections.” “The commission will also examine the flow of information within the federal government in relation to these issues, evaluate the actions taken in response, assess the federal government’s capacity to detect, deter, and counter foreign interference, and make recommendations on these issues,” it said. The panel is expected to send its interim report by 3 May and release the final report by 31 December. India-Canada tensions Diplomatic ties have soured between India and Canada since Trudeau alleged India’s role in the murder of Nijjar. The accusations drew a sharp reaction from India which called them “absurd and motivated”. [caption id=“attachment_13685862” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged India’s role in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. AP File Photo[/caption] The row escalated as both countries removed their top envoys in a tit-for-tat move. India also temporarily suspended visa issuance to Canadians. In October, Canada had to recall its 40 diplomats from India as New Delhi called for “parity” in diplomatic presence. Recently, Canada announced a two-year cap on new international student admissions, citing pressure on housing and healthcare in the country. The move will impact Indian students as Canada is one of the most popular destinations for desis to study abroad. Indians make for the largest group of international students in Canada. With the relations already at a low, it remains to be seen how the fresh allegations will impact the fragile ties between India and Canada. With inputs from agencies