India rejects Canada’s election interference report, calls allegations baseless and hypocritical

India has rejected a Canadian commission’s report alleging foreign interference in Canada’s federal elections, calling the claims baseless. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that Canada has been interfering in India’s internal affairs and accused it of enabling illegal migration and organized criminal activities. The MEA said it expects Canada to take action against systems supporting such activities.

The Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions released its final report after a 15-month investigation. The commission, led by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, examined foreign interference by state and non-state actors in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 federal elections. The report alleged that India was the second most active country in electoral interference after China, stating that India used proxy agents to fund candidates from three political parties.

The MEA issued a statement saying, “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.” It further stated, “This has also created an environment for illegal migration and organized 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 inquiry also examined the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist designated as a terrorist by India. The report alleged that India spread disinformation regarding the incident but also stated that Canadian authorities found no evidence of direct foreign state involvement in his death. India has previously dismissed all allegations linking it to the incident.

The commission’s findings also revealed that some Canadian lawmakers were knowingly or unknowingly involved in foreign interference. The report examined Canada’s ability to detect and counter such activities. Justice Hogue stated, “I believe that our investigation has enabled a better public understanding of foreign interference in Canada, and how the government attempts to counter it.”

Diplomatic tensions between India and Canada have escalated in recent years, particularly over issues related to Khalistani separatist activities and security concerns. Relations deteriorated further after Canada accused Indian agents of involvement in Nijjar’s killing in September 2023, leading both countries to expel diplomats. The latest report has added to existing tensions, with India maintaining that the allegations are unverified and politically motivated.