"Not India, But Canada Interfering In Our Internal Matters": MEA Spokesperson Calls Canadian Accusations 'Baseless'

Rejecting Canada's accusations of Indian interference in its elections as "unfounded," New Delhi stated on Thursday (8 February) that it is not India's policy to meddle in the democratic processes of other nations, according to a report from The Indian Express.

Addressing a press briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal targeted Ottawa, asserting that "in fact, it is Canada that has been interfering in our internal affairs."

"We have seen reports of a Canadian commission investigating foreign interference... We strongly dismiss such unfounded allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections. It is not the Government of India's policy to interfere in the democratic processes of other countries; rather, it is Canada that has been meddling in our internal affairs," he remarked.

Jaiswal continued, "We have consistently raised this issue with them, and we urge Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns."

An independent commission, established by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in September last year, is investigating alleged foreign interference in Canada.

It has requested the Canadian government to share information regarding possible interference in elections by India.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service has accused China of seeking to covertly influence its past two federal elections and identified India as a foreign interference threat.

The report emphasised the need for Canada to enhance efforts in safeguarding its democratic institutions and processes from potential foreign interference activities, including those from India.

While tensions between India and Canada escalated in September 2023 following Prime Minister Trudeau's remarks regarding the murder of a Khalistani separatist in Canada, India has consistently maintained its stance of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.