Canada's Declassified Intelligence Report Alleges That India Interfered In Its Election

A newly declassified intelligence report of Canada’s security service has accused India of election interference. This report comes in the wake of a government inquiry ordered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It is examining foreign interference in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

Foreign interference networks are “deeply embedded” in Canadian politics, and operate at every level of government, Global News reported, citing a declassified report by Canadian Security Intelligence Service. The report warned that foreign interference was “incrementally” weakening Canada’s democracy.

Foreign interference, or FI, was unlike traditional diplomatic activity in that it used secrecy and deception to influence Canadian policy-making, public narratives and civil society, it said. “FI networks are active throughout Canada, and at all levels of government. Many of these networks are deeply embedded in Canada’s political and social fabric,” the report said.

India Part Blacked Out

Much of the report was blacked out and no countries were named in the parts made public. However, materials released to Global News named China and India as top threats. In the report, one of the notes reportedly reads that “India engages in FI (foreign interference) activities.” The document regarding India’s role was heavily redacted, with only this sentence remaining, the outlet said.

Ties between India and Canada have frayed in recent months over Canada’s allegations linking India to the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey last year. India has rejected that allegation and asked Canada to furnish solid proof.

Read More: Canada Panel Seeks to Probe ‘India Interference’ In Its Elections Amid Frayed Diplomatic Ties

Last week, an independent commission probing alleged foreign interference in Canada asked the Trudeau government to share information about possible meddling in elections by India. The commission said that it had requested the Canadian government to provide documents “relating to alleged interference by India related to the 2019 and 2021 elections.”

The commission is charged with conducting an independent public inquiry into allegations of attempted foreign interference in Canadian affairs by China, Russia and others. It is expected to complete an interim report by May 3.

(With agency inputs)