Canada has once again spewed venom against India. He has described India as the second biggest threat to democracy in his country. This is likely to further strain the already sour relationship between the two.
Ottawa. Canada has called India the second biggest foreign threat to its democracy after China, while Russia has slipped to third place. Spitting venom against India, a recent report of a high-level parliamentary committee of Canada has termed India as the ‘second biggest foreign threat’ to Canadian democracy after China. According to a Hindustan Times report, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reacted to this development in a statement emphasizing his government’s serious concern about foreign interference. Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Parliamentary Committee (NSICOP) released this report at a time of tension in India-Canada relations. Which includes members from both the House of Commons and the Senate. This is likely to further sour the already tense relations between the two countries.
The release of this report is expected to further escalate tensions between the two countries. This has happened at a time when Trudeau has already accused Indian government agents of involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. New Delhi immediately rejected these allegations as baseless. However, Canada’s latest report has alleged that India has become the second biggest foreign interference threat to Canada’s democratic institutions and processes, replacing Russia. India’s foreign interference efforts have gradually moved beyond countering pro-Khalistan elements in Canada.
Fresh allegations against India are serious
The report says India’s efforts include interference in Canadian democratic systems and institutions, including targeting Canadian politicians, ethnic media and Indo-Canadian ethnic cultural communities. The 84-page report contains 44 references to India. Indian officials have not yet responded to these allegations. Earlier, New Delhi has denied similar claims, accusing Canadian officials of interfering in Indian affairs and sheltering extremist elements, including those associated with the Khalistani movement.
China is the biggest threat to Canada
The Canadian government report suggests that some Canadian parliamentarians may be influenced by foreign powers. They may engage in inappropriate communication with foreign missions, attempt to influence colleagues inappropriately, and share confidential information with foreign diplomats. Apart from this, as stated in the report, some MPs may have received funding from foreign entities or their representatives. The report names China as the main player in foreign interference, followed by India and Russia.
Tags: Canada, Canada News, Justin Trudeau
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 7, 2024, 08:01 IST