A thorough inquiry into claims of foreign intervention in Canada elections has concluded that India did not engage in any attempts to interfere in Canadian politics. A group of high-ranking Canadian officials tasked with overseeing the 2021 elections found no indication of India’s involvement in influencing the outcome of the national polls, as revealed by the investigation.
A polling official informed the investigation panel that they do not believe there was evidence of the Government of India using those tools during the 2021 election campaign. In testimony provided during an official probe, it was revealed that the Canadian intelligence agency discovered evidence of China interfering in Canada’s last two elections.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party emerged victorious in both the elections held in 2019 and 2021. Facing pressure from discontent opposition lawmakers regarding media reports suggesting China’s potential involvement, Trudeau established a commission to investigate foreign interference. He is scheduled to testify before the inquiry panel today.
India had previously refuted these allegations, reaffirming its dedication to non-interference in the democratic processes of other nations.
In February, the External Affairs Ministry (EAM) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal strongly rejected all allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections. He emphasized that it is not India’s policy to interfere in the democratic processes of other countries and suggested that Canada has been interfering in India’s internal affairs instead.
Canada’s investigation into foreign interference has escalated tensions in an already strained relationship between the two countries. Prime Minister Trudeau’s previous allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil have further exacerbated the bilateral relations.
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