- By Vivek Raj
- Sat, 03 Feb 2024 01:06 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Canada has named India as a 'foreign threat' capable of interfering in their elections, according to a declassified intelligence report accessed by Global News. The report, titled 'Foreign Interference and Elections: A National Security Assessment,' identifies India as a potential threat to Canada's democracy, citing concerns over foreign interference weakening democratic processes.
The report, dated October 2022, alleges that India's involvement in election meddling poses a risk to Canada's sovereignty and democratic values. This accusation marks the first time Canada has pointed fingers at India for election interference, joining China and Russia as countries facing similar allegations.
"We know that the PRC sought to clandestinely and deceptively influence the 2019 and 2021 federal elections," it quoted the report, referring to the People's Republic of China.
The parts of the document made public names no country, but other materials name India and China as top threats, the media said. It said foreign interference harms Canada and Canadians "by eroding sovereignty, democratic processes and values."
"FI (foreign interference) activities incrementally weaken the fabric of Canadian democracy, subtly diminish the hard-won social cohesion of a multicultural society, and impinge on the Charter rights of Canadians," it said.
Foreign interference, as defined in the report, utilizes secrecy and deception to influence public narratives and policy-making, posing a significant challenge to democratic norms. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has ordered an investigation into the claims made in the intelligence report.
The report underscores concerns about India's potential interference in Canadian elections, highlighting the need for robust protection of democratic institutions and processes. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the country’s highest foreign intelligence agency, raised alarms about the escalating threat posed by foreign interference, urging proactive measures to safeguard Canadian sovereignty and values.
The declassified document also names China as a significant threat to Canada's democratic institutions, citing broad and pervasive foreign interference activities directed against various levels of government and civil society.
India and China are the only two countries explicitly identified in the intelligence report regarding foreign interference. The report emphasizes the need for enhanced measures to safeguard Canada's democratic processes from external influences.
The strained relationship between India and Canada stems from Trudeau's allegations in September 2023, following a bilateral meeting where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed rising secessionist activities in Canada. Trudeau's claims of Indian involvement in Nijjar's killing further strained diplomatic ties between the two nations.
