@ India-West News Desk

OTTAWA – India is among the nations likely to attempt interference in Canada’s upcoming general election on April 28, according to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). The agency also identified China as a key actor, while noting that Russia and Pakistan have the potential to engage in similar activities, reported Reuters.

CSIS made the remarks amid strained relations between Ottawa and New Delhi. India has previously denied accusations of election meddling. A January report concluded that while India and China attempted to interfere in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 elections, the efforts did not impact the outcomes.

Vanessa Lloyd, CSIS’s deputy director of operations, said at a press conference that foreign actors like China are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to manipulate democratic processes. She specifically pointed to India’s “intent and capability to interfere in Canadian communities and democratic processes.”

Last year, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, alleging they were involved in a plot against Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. The diplomatic fallout further strained ties between the two countries.

CSIS warned that even if foreign interference does not directly alter election outcomes, such activities undermine public trust in Canada’s democratic institutions.