India Refutes Canada’s Allegations of Election Meddling
India Denies Allegations of Interference in Canadian Elections
India has strongly rejected the accusations made by a Canadian commission report claiming interference in Toronto’s elections by certain foreign governments. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement refuting the claims and also criticized Canada for its interference in India’s internal affairs.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “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.” The statement further emphasized, “We reject the report’s insinuations on India and expect that the support system enabling illegal migration will not be further countenanced.”
Canada’s Allegations and India’s Response
The allegations of interference in Toronto’s elections were made by Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail, which claimed that New Delhi used proxy agents to provide “clandestine financial support” to candidates from three political parties in a federal election. In response to these allegations, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Justice Marie-Jose Hogue to lead a commission of inquiry into the matter.
In a report issued by Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, it was stated that India was the second most active country engaging in electoral foreign interference in Canada. The report mentioned the expulsion of six Indian diplomats by Canada in October 2024, which led to a tit-for-tat response from India expelling six Canadian diplomats.
Disinformation and Smear Campaigns
The report also accused India of spreading disinformation regarding the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, although it failed to find a link to a foreign state in the case. India strongly refuted these allegations and urged that such charges be dismissed with the “contempt they deserve.” The Ministry of External Affairs warned that “smear campaigns” like this only serve to damage the already strained ties between the two countries.
Conclusion
The ongoing allegations and counter-accusations between India and Canada highlight the complexities of diplomatic relations in the modern world. Both countries need to address these issues through dialogue and cooperation to maintain a positive and constructive bilateral relationship.