Canada’s latest intelligence report accuses India of being a ‘foreign threat’ and meddling in their elections, escalating diplomatic tensions. The allegation, revealed in a declassified document accessed by Global News, marks a renewed strain in Canada-India relations.
In the October 2022 report titled ‘Foreign Interference and Elections: A National Security Assessment,’ Canada’s Security Intelligence Service categorizes India as a ‘threat,’ emphasizing concerns about foreign interference weakening the nation’s democracy.
This accusation, the first of its kind against India, follows previous claims by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Indian involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a charge vehemently denied by India.
Foreign interference, outlined in the report, utilizes secrecy and deception to influence public narratives and policymaking, posing a unique challenge to diplomatic relations. China and Russia already face similar accusations.
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The report, referencing an earlier briefing, identifies China as “by far the most significant threat” in terms of election interference. The latest revelation implicating India and China underscores the growing complexity of global geopolitical dynamics.
While the declassified portions of the document do not explicitly name countries, other sources confirm India and China as top threats. The report emphasizes the detrimental impact of foreign interference on Canada’s democracy, eroding sovereignty and democratic processes.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has ordered an inquiry into these allegations, indicating the seriousness with which the government views the matter.
Diplomatic tensions between India and Canada escalated previously when Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concerns about rising secessionist activities during a G20 summit. Trudeau later accused “Indian government agents” of involvement in the shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a claim vehemently rejected by India as “absurd.”
