TORONTO: Canada’s intelligence agency has accused India of perpetrating foreign interference in a report published Wednesday, highlighting transnational repression in its activities within Canada. The report was released shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks at the G7 summit in Alberta, Canada, where both sides agreed to reinstate top diplomats that had been withdrawn last year.
Canada-India relations have been strained since 2023, following accusations by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that India’s government was involved in the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Modi’s government has denied the allegations and accused Canada of providing sanctuary to Sikh separatists.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) report specifically points to India’s role in attempting to influence Canadian communities and politicians to align with its stance on issues related to the Sikh separatist movement and the Khalistan issue. It also notes that while India’s influence is significant, China poses the greatest counter-intelligence threat to Canada, with Russia, Iran, and Pakistan also mentioned.
The Indian High Commission and the Chinese embassy in Canada have yet to respond to requests for comments on the report. The tension between the two countries persists, with concerns over transnational repression affecting Canada’s domestic politics.
