'India And Pakistan Attempted To Interfere In Elections', Canadian Intelligence Agency Claims

Amidst ongoing investigations into foreign interference in Canada's federal elections, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has alleged attempts by India and Pakistan to influence the country's democratic processes.

According to an unclassified summary by CSIS, both India and Pakistan were implicated in meddling during the 2019 and 2021 general elections in Canada, reported Deccan Herald.

The alleged interference was tabled as part of the Federal Commission of Inquiry examining possible meddling by several countries, including China, India, and Russia.

The CSIS documents suggest that in 2021, the Indian government conducted clandestine activities aimed at interfering in the elections, including using a proxy agent in Canada.

The spy agency claims that India targeted specific electoral districts due to perceptions that some Indo-Canadian voters sympathized with the Khalistani movement or held pro-Pakistan political stances.

Allegations also include providing illegal financial support to pro-Indian candidates.

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However, the Indian government has strongly rejected these allegations, labeling them as "baseless" and emphasizing Canada's history of interfering in India's internal affairs.

"We have seen media reports about the Canadian commission enquiring into ...We strongly reject all such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said in New Delhi in February.

Earlier, the strained relationship between India and Canada had intensified following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023.

The ongoing public inquiry into foreign interference has been predominantly focused on China.

However, Pakistan and India have come up in other documents tabled at the inquiry.

Meanwhile, CSIS Director David Vigneault has cautioned that intelligence may require further investigation.

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