New Delhi: Canada on Friday launched the preliminary findings of its public inquiry into international interference within the nation’s elections and accused India, China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran of being concerned in such actions. The report accused India of partaking in actions associated to interference in Canada’s political processes and “influencing Canadian communities and politicians”
The report highlighted that issues about Khalistani separatism in Canada drove the principle goal of Indian affect efforts. The report famous that India undertakes international interference actions “which aim to align Canada’s position with India’s interests on key issues, particularly with respect to how the Indian government perceives Canada-based supporters of an independent Sikh homeland (Khalistan).”
Importantly, it recognises “Canada-based Khalistani violent extremism” although that’s described as “relatively small” and provides that India doesn’t differentiate between that and “lawful, pro-Khalistani political advocacy.”
These actions, report mentioned, “may not be directed at influencing Canada’s democratic institutions, but are still significant.”
“India directed foreign interference activities related to the 2019 and 2021 general elections,” it mentioned, including that “proxy 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.”
It famous, “There was no indication of Indian-based disinformation campaigns in the 2021 general election.”
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 ultimate report, with suggestions, must be delivered by December 31.
The report famous that the nation’s companies view “China as the biggest threat to the Canadian electoral space by a significant margin.”
Other nations engaged in such exercise are recognized as Russia, India, Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, amongst others.
The report said Pakistan “has conducted foreign interference against Canada primarily to promote political, security and economic stability in Pakistan and to counter India’s growing global influence.”
India has already rejected as “baseless allegations” questions on any interference in Canada. In April, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned, in a press release, “It is not Government of India’s policy to interfere in democratic processes of other countries. In fact, quite on the reverse, it is Canada which has been interfering in our internal affairs. We have been raising this issue regularly with them. We continue to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns.”
