Amid the diplomatic rift between India and Canada, Ottawa has laid out fresh allegations against New Delhi. In a report published by the Canadian Commission, India was accused of interfering in its elections, along with China and Russia.♚
However, ♍India has rejected 𝐆these claims and further accused Canada of "constantly meddling in India's national affairs."
India Hits Back
In respon𝔍se to Canadaꦑ's allegations, the Ministry of External Affairs accused Ottawa of interfering in India's national matters.
"W♈e reject the report's insinuations on India and expect that the support system enabling illegal migration will not be further countenanced," read the official statement issued by MEA.
"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 shared by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, added ಌfurther.
What Has The Canadian Report Alleged?
In its 123-page report, the Can🌸adian Commission stated that after China, India was the second most involved country with regard to interference. This interference, as per the report, was in Canada's elections.
"India is the second most active country engaging in electoral foreign interference in Canada. Like the PRC,𒈔 India is a critical actor on the world stage. Canada and India have worked together for decades, but there are challenges in the relationship. Many of these are long-standing and inform India's foreign interference activities," the report read.
The report also mentioned India and Canada's tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats in October 2024. The report alleged that theꦚ diplomats were expelled for🃏 carrying out a "campaign of violence" for the Indian government.
The commission also mentioned the tensions caused due to the killing of Canadian Sikh citizen and Indian-governme🧸nt designation terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. As per the report, India spread misinformation regarding Nijjar's killing.
However, the report goes on to mention thꦑat Canada did not find a foreign link to Nijjar's killing in June 2023.
Disinformation is also used as a retaliatory tactic, to punish﷽ decisions that run contrary to a state's interests. This may have been the case with a disinformation campaign that followed the Prime Minister's announcement regarding suspected Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar (though again no definitive link to a foreign state could be proven)," the report stated.
