Canada's inquiry into foreign intelligence interference has expanded its scrutiny to include India. The head of the Commission leading the inquiry has sought documents related to the potential involvement of the Indian government in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions announced its request to the Canadian government for information regarding alleged interference by India. The Commission, established in September 2023, initially focused on examining interference by China and Russia, along with unnamed "foreign actors" in the elections.
The move to include India comes after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused India in September 2023 of being involved in the shooting of a Canadian citizen, Harpreet Singh Nijjar, labeled a Khalistani terrorist by Indian security agencies. Following Trudeau's accusations, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh urged the Commission to investigate India's potential influence on elections through its large diaspora, similar to China.
India strongly denied the allegations, leading to diplomatic tensions between the two countries. India and Canada expelled diplomats, and visa services for Canadian nationals were temporarily halted. The dispute also involved a reduction in diplomatic presence, with both sides withdrawing diplomats.
While relations remained strained, US federal prosecutors revealed in November a possible link between Nijjar's killing and a plot to assassinate a Canadian American Khalistani supporter in New York. An unsealed indictment implicated Indian national Nikhil Gupta, currently in Czech custody, in an attempt to hire a hitman to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a lawyer for Sikhs for Justice, a group banned by India.
(With Agency Inputs)
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