India rejects Canadian commission’s report on election interference
New Delhi, Jan 29: New Delhi has strongly rejected the findings of a Canadian inquiry panel that accused the Government of India of interfering in Canada’s federal elections.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed the report, countering that it is, in fact, Canada that has consistently meddled in India’s internal affairs.
“We have seen a report about alleged activities on purported interference. It is in fact Canada which has been consistently interfering in India’s internal affairs. This has also created an environment for illegal migration and organised criminal activities. We reject the report’s insinuations on India and expect that the support system enabling illegal migration will not be further countenanced,” the MEA said in a statement.
The report, released by a Canadian panel chaired by Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue, was a 16-month public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada’s democratic institutions and electoral processes during the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.
Justice Hogue, in her final findings, acknowledged concerns over Canadian parliamentarians potentially having inappropriate relationships with foreign officials, exercising poor judgment, and displaying questionable ethics. However, she clarified that there was no evidence of lawmakers conspiring with foreign states against Canada.
Despite absolving Canadian legislators of any wrongdoing, the report claimed that India was involved in foreign electoral interference in Canada. It alleged that Indian intelligence agencies had conducted activities in Canada, both directly and through proxies during the 2021 general election.
The report further suggested that an Indian proxy agent may have attempted to secretly provide financial support to candidates from three political parties in 2021, though it stated that the recipients might not have been aware of the source of these contributions.
Alongside India, the report also detailed alleged covert efforts by Pakistan to influence Canadian politics before the 2019 election to advance its interests.
India’s rejection of the report comes amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa.
Relations between the two countries have been strained since September 2023, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed in Parliament that there were “credible allegations” of Indian government agents being involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist.
The claim led to a sharp deterioration in ties, with Canada pausing trade talks with India, which remained stalled.
India has consistently denied all allegations and has accused Canada of providing a safe haven to individuals linked to extremist activities and organised crime.
