TORONTO: Canada has accused India of meddling in its elections, in 2019 and 2021 – a charge unequivocally rejected by India.
Canadian spy agency released an unclassified summary tabled as part of a federal inquiry examining potential foreign interference, alleging clandestine activities by India during the 2019 and 2021 general elections.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) summary points to concerted efforts by India to influence Canada’s electoral processes.
India, however, vehemently denies these allegations, dismissing them as baseless and redirecting the focus to what it perceives as Canada’s meddling in its internal affairs.
The CSIS documents allege that in 2021, the Indian government targeted specific electoral districts believed to harbor Indian-origin voters sympathetic to the Khalistani movement or pro-Pakistan stances. The agency alleged that a government proxy agent may have attempted to sway democratic processes through illicit financial support to favored candidates, potentially remaining undisclosed to the recipients.
In January, Canada announced its intention to investigate allegations of foreign interference in its national elections, with a particular focus on India, according to a Bloomberg report.
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