New Delhi: Canada released the initial findings of its public inquiry into foreign interference in the country’s elections and accused India, China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran of being involved in such activities.
The report accused India of engaging in activities related to interference in Canada’s political processes and “influencing Canadian communities and politicians”.
The report highlighted that concerns about Khalistani separatism in Canada drove the main target of Indian influence efforts. The report noted that India undertakes foreign interference activities āwhich aim to align Canadaās position with Indiaās interests on key issues, particularly with respect to how the Indian government perceives Canada-based supporters of an independent Sikh homeland (Khalistan).ā
Importantly, it recognises āCanada-based Khalistani violent extremismā though that is described as ārelatively smallā and adds that India does not differentiate between that and ālawful, pro-Khalistani political advocacy.ā
These activities, report said, āmay not be directed at influencing Canadaās democratic institutions, but are still significant.ā
āIndia directed foreign interference activities related to the 2019 and 2021 general elections,ā it said, adding that āproxy agents may have attempted to interfere in democratic processes, reportedly including through the clandestine provision of illicit financial support to various Canadian politicians as a means of attempting to secure the election of pro-India candidates or gaining influence over candidates who take office. In some instances, the candidates may never know their campaigns received illicit funds.ā
It noted, āThere was no indication of Indian-based disinformation campaigns in the 2021 general election.ā
The interim report was issued by the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions, which is headed by Justice Marie-Josee Hogue and the final report, with recommendations, has to be delivered by December 31.