A report by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), presented at the Foreign Interference Inquiry, has revealed that the Government of India (GoI) may have attempted to influence the outcome of Canadian parliamentary elections. The report, which spans from 2018 to the present, states that India has supported pro-GoI candidates through various forms of interference, including meddling in leadership and nomination contests.
According to the report, GoI proxy agents may have sought to interfere in Canada's democratic processes by covertly providing illicit financial support to certain politicians. These efforts were reportedly aimed at securing the election of pro-India candidates or gaining influence over elected officials. Some candidates may have unknowingly received illicit funds, according to additional reporting from The Globe and Mail.
The CSIS document further highlights that India’s foreign interference efforts have targeted Canadian politicians, particularly those of Sikh descent, with the goal of undermining support for a separate Sikh state in Punjab. The Indian government reportedly views supporters of Khalistani separatism as a threat to its domestic stability, although the CSIS noted that only a small portion of Canadian Sikhs advocate for violent means.
In addition to financial meddling, the report accused India of engaging in clandestine, deceptive, and coercive activities against prominent Canadians as part of its broader foreign interference strategy.
Both India and China have been identified in the report as being deeply involved in efforts to influence Canada’s political landscape through diaspora communities and disinformation campaigns.
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