India’s External Affairs Ministry calls out Canada’s interference in its internal affairs

India refutes allegation of interference in Canadian elections

Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson, India’s Ministry of External Affairs

New Delhi – Canada’s intelligence agency CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) has claimed that India tried to interfere in Canadian elections. In a strong response, India has dismissed this allegation as baseless. India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a press conference that Canada’s interference in India’s affairs in the past is itself the core issue. We have seen media reports about the Canadian Commission’s investigation. We strongly reject all such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections. It is not the policy of the Government of India to interfere in the democratic process of other countries. On the contrary, Canada is interfering in India’s internal affairs.

#WATCH | “It is not the policy of government of India to interfere in democratic process of others country Infact quite on the reverse it is Canada which has been interfering in our domestic matters,” says MEA’s official spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal @MEAIndia #Canada pic.twitter.com/hmDKGWJYMl

— DD News (@DDNewslive) February 8, 2024

What were Canada’s allegations ?

The CSIS report, being examined by the Federal Commission of Enquiry, discusses the potential interference of foreign nations, including India, Pakistan, China, and Russia, in Canada’s elections in 2019 and 2021. In 2021, the Government of India had intent to interfere and likely conducted clandestine activities, including using an Indian Government proxy agent in Canada, the CSIS alleged in the documents. The Canadian spy agency also claimed that in 2021, the Indian Government conducted foreign interference activities, focusing on a limited number of electoral Districts. According to the CSIS document, India targeted these Districts due to a perceived notion that a portion of Indo-Canadian voters were sympathetic to the Khalistani movement or pro-Pakistan political stances. The CSIS has amassed a body of intelligence that indicates a Government of India proxy agent may have attempted to interfere in democratic processes by providing illegal financial support to pro-Indian candidates, the document said.

The information in the CSIS report is incomplete : Director of CSIS

However, David Vigneault, the director of CSIS, cautioned the enquiry that the allegations outlined in the report should not be regarded as established facts and instead warrant further investigation. The inquiry noted that the information in the report seems to be either uncorroborated, based on a single source, or incomplete.

Editorial Perspective

While India does not interfere in other countries and has no such history, countries like the US, Canada, Britain are deliberately trying to create pressure by accusing India in various ways. India needs to remain stern in this regard and not buckle under pressure.