Canada Fears India's Interference In Upcoming Elections, SITE Task Force Also Alleges China Of Spreading Propaganda

As Canada’s federal election campaign gains momentum ahead of polling on 28 April, the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force has intensified its monitoring of potential foreign interference, identifying China, India, Russia, and Pakistan as primary actors, Hindustan Times reported.

Vanessa Lloyd, Deputy Director of Operations at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and chair of the SITE Task Force, warned of the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) sophisticated use of AI-enabled tools to manipulate Canada’s democratic process.

She further stated, “We have also seen that the government of India has the intent and capability to interfere in Canadian communities and democratic processes.”

The SITE Task Force, which includes Global Affairs Canada’s Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) Canada, plays a crucial role in monitoring digital disinformation and tracking state-backed influence operations.

Earlier this month, it flagged a "spamouflage" campaign linked to China, which aimed to spread propaganda disguised as everyday content. The issue of India’s alleged foreign interference has been a growing concern.

A public inquiry into foreign interference, led by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, concluded in January that “India is the second most active country engaging in electoral foreign interference in Canada,” following China.

The report highlighted New Delhi’s focus on the Indo-Canadian community and its use of diplomatic officials and proxies to influence political outcomes.

Tensions between Canada and India have escalated over New Delhi’s concerns regarding Khalistani separatism, with the report stating that "India believes Canada is not taking India’s national security concerns about Khalistani separatism sufficiently seriously."

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