NEW DELHI: India has been identified as a potential threat to Canada‘s democratic processes, along with China, according to a report by Canadian news agency Global Times. citing a recently declassified top-secret briefing report from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).
Dated February 24, 2023, the report titled “Briefing to the Minister of Democratic Institutions on Foreign Interference” emphasises the urgent need for the Canadian government to address foreign interference actively.
As per the Global Times report, the document explicitly states, “We know that China sought to clandestinely and deceptively influence the 2019 and 2021 federal elections,” naming China as “by far the most significant threat.” It also highlights India as engaging in foreign interference activities, signaling the worsening of the problem.
Details on India redacted
Significantly, the document — obtained by Global Times under the Access to Information Act — shows that nearly three pages of the report focus on India, although most details are redacted. The available information mentions, “India engages in foreign interference activities,” making India the only country explicitly identified besides China.
The report calls for “clearly articulated strategies” to counter foreign interference and emphasises the importance of raising awareness and briefing officials and politicians. It stresses that all government agencies, including provincial and municipal partners, must collaborate to “detect, disrupt, and publicise” interference activities.
The release of this information comes as a commission of inquiry into foreign interference in Canada’s recent elections is underway in Ottawa, following concerns raised by media outlets about Chinese interference.
It specifies that “foreign states target elected and public officials and others with influence over the public policy decision-making process,” and “this includes current and former Members of Parliament, members of provincial legislatures, municipal officials, representatives of Indigenous governments, ministerial and political staff, and public servants”.
The briefing report reveals that China’s interference activities in Canada are extensive, involving various tools such as the United Front Work Department, its diplomatic corps, and non-government assets like community groups and trusted contacts.
The report underlines that these activities target all levels of government and civil society across the country. “These hostile states exploit loopholes in political party nomination processes; engage in money and financing operations; mobilize and leverage community organizations; and manipulate media outlets.”
Earlier allegation
In an October 2022 report by the CSIS, the agency had said that “Government of India agents” appeared to have “interfered in the Conservative’s 2022 leadership race by purchasing memberships for one candidate while undermining another, and also boasted of funding a number of politicians at all levels of government”.
China was flagged as the main threat in that report too, but the “Canadian Eyes Only” intelligence assessment underlined that India is using the “same corrosive tactics as Beijing”.
(With inputs from agencies)
Dated February 24, 2023, the report titled “Briefing to the Minister of Democratic Institutions on Foreign Interference” emphasises the urgent need for the Canadian government to address foreign interference actively.
As per the Global Times report, the document explicitly states, “We know that China sought to clandestinely and deceptively influence the 2019 and 2021 federal elections,” naming China as “by far the most significant threat.” It also highlights India as engaging in foreign interference activities, signaling the worsening of the problem.
Details on India redacted
Significantly, the document — obtained by Global Times under the Access to Information Act — shows that nearly three pages of the report focus on India, although most details are redacted. The available information mentions, “India engages in foreign interference activities,” making India the only country explicitly identified besides China.
The report calls for “clearly articulated strategies” to counter foreign interference and emphasises the importance of raising awareness and briefing officials and politicians. It stresses that all government agencies, including provincial and municipal partners, must collaborate to “detect, disrupt, and publicise” interference activities.
The release of this information comes as a commission of inquiry into foreign interference in Canada’s recent elections is underway in Ottawa, following concerns raised by media outlets about Chinese interference.
It specifies that “foreign states target elected and public officials and others with influence over the public policy decision-making process,” and “this includes current and former Members of Parliament, members of provincial legislatures, municipal officials, representatives of Indigenous governments, ministerial and political staff, and public servants”.
The briefing report reveals that China’s interference activities in Canada are extensive, involving various tools such as the United Front Work Department, its diplomatic corps, and non-government assets like community groups and trusted contacts.
The report underlines that these activities target all levels of government and civil society across the country. “These hostile states exploit loopholes in political party nomination processes; engage in money and financing operations; mobilize and leverage community organizations; and manipulate media outlets.”
Earlier allegation
In an October 2022 report by the CSIS, the agency had said that “Government of India agents” appeared to have “interfered in the Conservative’s 2022 leadership race by purchasing memberships for one candidate while undermining another, and also boasted of funding a number of politicians at all levels of government”.
China was flagged as the main threat in that report too, but the “Canadian Eyes Only” intelligence assessment underlined that India is using the “same corrosive tactics as Beijing”.
(With inputs from agencies)