Toronto, Canada’s top intelligence body has classified India as a ‘foreign threat,’ signaling heightened concerns over potential electoral interference. This classification emerges amid escalating tensions between the two nations, particularly following the assassination of a pro-Khalistan advocate in Canada.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service’s declassified report to the government has spotlighted India as a significant source of ‘foreign interference,’ posing a potential risk to the integrity of Canadian democratic processes. The revelation, disclosed through documents obtained by Global News, underscores the gravity of accusations against India, with a substantial portion of the report dedicated to its activities, albeit with extensive redactions.

The intelligence findings stress the importance of formulating clear strategies to counteract such interference threats. Recommendations include enhancing awareness and providing detailed briefings to key officials and political figures as crucial steps toward safeguarding Canada’s democratic framework.

In response to broader concerns over foreign meddling in its elections, primarily spotlighted by allegations against China, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously initiated an inquiry into foreign entities’ attempts to influence Canadian electoral outcomes. The disclosed document, titled “Briefing to the Minister of Democratic Institutions on Foreign Interference,” dated February 24, 2023, marks a significant moment by explicitly naming India alongside China as a source of concern, marking the first instance of Canada accusing India of such interference.

The report delineates foreign interference as a covert operation distinct from conventional diplomacy, aimed at manipulating public discourse and policymaking through secretive and deceptive means.

The accusations have significantly strained diplomatic relations, with Trudeau’s explicit charge against India for the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, a claim that India vehemently denies as “absurd and motivated.” This development has thrown Canada-India relations into turmoil, highlighting a critical juncture in the bilateral ties between the two countries.