Canada: India, China Likely To Interfere In Upcoming General Elections, Says Canadian Spy Agency

Right ahead of the upcoming general election on April 28, Canada's spy Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) on Monday claimed that India and China have intentions to interfere in the upcoming polls, while Russia and Pakistan also have the potential to do so, as per a report by Reuters.

The intelligence agency's remarks came a day after the new Canadian prime minister Mark Carney and his Conservative opponent kicked off their election campaigns amid the tensions of a trade war and annexation threats from US President Donald Trump. Canada is set to hold the elections after Carney called a snap poll.

The remarks came at a time when Canada's bilateral ties with India are at an all-time low over Canada's inaction against anti-India elements and Khalistani supporters operating on its soil alongside ex-PM Justin Trudeau's allegations of India's involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

What Did The Intel Agency Say?

According to Reuters, Canadian Security Intelligence Service deputy director Vanessa Lloyd alleged that China has been deploying artificial intelligence to meddle in elections while the Indian government also has the intent and ability to do the same.

"The PRC (People's Republic of China) is highly likely to use AI-enabled tools to attempt to interfere with Canada's democratic process in this current election," Reuters quoted Lyod as saying.

"We have also seen that the government of India has the intent and capability to interfere in Canadian communities and democratic processes", she further added.

However, the Chinese and Indian diplomatic missions in Ottawa are yet to respond to Canada라이브 바카라 election-related allegations.

India-Canada Strained Ties

On September 2023, the ties between India and Canada came under strain following then-Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's controversial allegations concerning a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. New Delhi, however, rejected Trudeau's charges as "absurd".

The relations nosedived further in the second half of last year after Ottawa linked several Indian diplomats including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma to the murder of Nijjar.

In October last, India withdrew Verma and five other diplomats. India also expelled an equal number of Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.

In the last few months, the security officials of India and Canada resumed contact and both sides are looking at the possibility of appointing new high commissioners.