India, Pakistan attempted to interfere in Canada's federal elections: Report

Canada's spy agency- the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)- said on Thursday (Apr 4) that India and Pakistan attempted to interfere in Canada's federal elections in 2019 and then in 2021. Citing an unclassified summary written by the CSIS, a report by CBC News said in 2019, Pakistani government officials in Canada attempted to influence Canadian federal politics to further Islamabad's interests in Canada.

Two years later, the Indian government had "intent to interfere and likely conducted clandestine activities," including the use of an Indian government proxy agent in Canada," the summary said.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

The CBC report said that these assessments are contained in documents that were tabled as part of the federal commission of inquiry into foreign interference. CSIS Director David Vigneault told the public inquiry that intelligence is not necessarily fact and it may require further investigation.

The summary's findings

The CSIS alleged that in 2021, India's foreign interference activities were centred on a small number of electoral districts. New Delhi targeted those ridings, the Canadian spy agency said, as there was a perception (by India) that a portion of Indo-Canadian voters were sympathetic to the Khalistan separatist movement or pro-Pakistan political stances.

The spy agency also said that it amassed a body of intelligence that indicated an Indian government proxy agent might have attempted to interfere in democratic processes by providing illegal financial support to pro-Indian candidates.

When it comes to Pakistan, the CSIS said that Islamabad's foreign interference in Canada was primarily to promote "political, security and economic stability in Pakistan and to counter India's growing global influence."

Also watch |Gravitas: US authorities say they are not aware of Khalistani movement in America

In the 2019 federal elections, Canada conducted what it called a "threat reduction measure" ahead of the vote meant to "reduce the foreign interference threat posed by Pakistan."

India rejects allegations

India has earlier rejected the allegations of its interference in Canadian elections and asserted that the core issue has been Ottawa's meddling in New Delhi'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," Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in February.

"It is not the government of India's policy to interfere in the democratic processes of other countries. In fact, quite on the reverse, it is Canada which has been interfering in our internal affairs," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)