India attempts to influence Canadian politics due to concerns over Khalistani separatists: Official probe
Canada-based proxies, engage in a range of activities that seek to influence Canadian communities and politicians to «align» Ottawa's position with New Delhi's interests on key issues, particularly concerns over Khalistani separatists in Canada, an official probe has found.
The findings in the interim report by Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue, who is leading the independent public inquiry, found evidence of foreign interference in Canada's last two federal elections in 2019 and 2021 but the results of the votes were not affected and the electoral system was robust.
India has previously rejected as «baseless» the allegations of its interference in Canadian elections and asserted that the core issue has been Ottawa's meddling in New Delhi's internal affairs.
The report, published on Friday said the People's Republic of China («PRC») stands out as the main perpetrator of foreign interference against Canada.
«China has been assessed by Canadian authorities as the most active foreign state actor engaged in interference directed at government officials, political organisations, candidates for political office and diaspora communities,» it said.
On India, the report said: «Indian officials, including Canada-based proxies, engage in a range of activities that seek to influence Canadian communities and politicians. These activities include foreign interference, which aims to align Canada's position with India's interests on key issues, particularly with respect to how the Indian government perceives Canada-based
