The Indian agents allegedly tried to influence the leadership of the Conservative Party in Canada and to increase the tensions between the two countries.
The new allegations have come up again in the midst of a continuing general election campaign to The globe and mail Reported, referring to a source with a top security clearance, that Indian agents were involved in fundraising and outreach efforts in Canada’s South Asian community to support Pierre Poilievre’s 2022 leadership for the Conservative Party leadership.
However, intelligence officials found no evidence that Mr. Pilievre or his team was aware of these alleged activities or that it affected the election result. India faced repeated accusations of election in Canada, although they have denied such claims throughout.
Mr. Poilievre, who is now the leader of the opposition and a candidate for prime minister, rejected the allegations and demanded that his victory was legal and called the race “fair and square”.
He also refused to obtain a security clearance, arguing that it would limit its ability to openly discuss national security issues. “What I will not do is to connect the oath of secrecy that the liberals will impose on me,” Mr. Poilievre said.
“They don’t want me to talk about these matters, so they bring me in a dark room and say,” We’re going to give you some bread crumbs from Intel, and then we’ll tell you that you can no longer talk about these things. ‘
The liberal leader, Mark Carney, has the refusal of Mr. Pilievre criticized to undergo a safety clearance. “I find it very irresponsible that the leader of the opposition day to day, month to month, year after year refuses to obtain a security clearance,” Mr. Carney said.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIs) also warned that India and China are likely to try to interfere in the upcoming general election in Canada on April 28, while Russia and Pakistan are also considered potential threats. Vanessa Lloyd, Deputy Director of Operations at CSIS, emphasized the growing use of artificial intelligence in foreign interference efforts.
“The PRC (People’s Republic of China) is likely to use AI-activated instruments to try to interfere with the democratic process of Canada in this current election,” Ms Lloyd said during a press information, Reuters reports.
“We have also seen that the government of India has the intention and ability to interfere in Canadian communities and democratic processes to achieve its geopolitical influence,” she added.
In a previous investigation into foreign interference in the Canadian election, it was found that both China and India tried to manipulate the 2019 and 2021 election. While considering the impact of these efforts, the report warned that disinformation posed a significant threat to the democratic institutions of Canada.
The relationship between Canada and China has also worsened in recent weeks, with Beijing imposing tariffs on Canadian agricultural goods worth more than $ 2.6 billion. The move is seen as retaliation for Ottawa’s earlier levies on Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum. In addition, Canada has condemned the recent execution of China of four Canadian citizens on drug -related charges.
Earlier, Canada’s safety and intelligence threats for the elections (Site) Task Force warned that foreign agents would probably escalate the disinformation campaigns during the current election season.
New -Delhi has rejected the allegations in the past, accusing Canada of interfering in India’s internal affairs. India’s Foreign Ministry (MEA) criticized Ottawa in January this year for “illegal migration and organized criminal activities”.
“It is in fact Canada that interfered in the internal affairs of India,” Mea spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said, adding: “We reject the insinuations of the report on India and expect the support system that enables illegal migration to be placed further.”
The tensions between the two countries have been large since Canada expelled six Indian diplomats last year, claiming to be involved in a plot against Sikh -eparatists.
India replied by expelling six Canadian diplomats. Relations have further deteriorated after Ottawa India accused India of ties to the murder of Hardep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh soeparatists in Canada.
In June last year, a report from Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliament Members India considered the second most active country in foreign election interference in Canada. The report noted that although Canada and India have long-standing ties, persistent diplomatic challenges have contributed to the alleged interference activities of New Delhi.
The independent reached out to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Indian Foreign Ministry, for comment.
Additional Reporting by Agencies
