While the initial report in May last year had pointed to China as the “most persistent and sophisticated foreign interference threat to Canada,” the final report lays out the ways in which India has become the “second most active country engaging in electoral foreign interference in Canada.”

Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue, who led the inquiry, wrote, “Like the PRC (People’s Republic of China), India conducts foreign interference through diplomatic officials in Canada and through proxies”.

“A body of intelligence indicates that proxy agents may have, and may continue to be, clandestinely providing illicit financial support to various Canadian politicians in an attempt to secure the election of pro-India candidates or gain influence over candidates who take office.”

“The intelligence does not necessarily indicate that the elected officials or candidates involved were aware of the interference attempts, or that the attempts necessarily succeeded,” she added.

The report names Russia, Pakistan, and Iran as other countries considered foreign interference threats to Canada.

Ties between India and Canada have been severely hit after then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood up in Parliament in September 2023 to state there were “credible allegations” that agents of the Indian government were involved in the killing of pro-Khalistan separatist figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. India has rejected the allegations calling them “absurd” and “politically motivated”. It has led to serious downgrading of the relations, as diplomats including High Commissioners have been expelled by both countries.-Agencies