New Delhi: Canada has raised concerns over potential foreign interference in its upcoming general election on April 28, alleging that both Pakistan and India could attempt to influence the democratic process.
Vanessa Lloyd, Deputy Director of Operations at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), stated that Pakistan might conduct interference activities to advance its strategic interests and counter India’s growing global influence.
“The government of Pakistan could potentially engage in foreign interference to promote political, security, and economic stability in Pakistan while countering India’s expanding geopolitical reach,” Lloyd said at a press conference.
She also claimed that India had both the intent and capability to interfere in Canadian politics.
“We have observed that the Indian government has the means to influence Canadian communities and democratic processes to assert its geopolitical interests,” she added.
These allegations are not new, as Canada had previously accused both countries of interference in past elections. In April 2024, CSIS released an unclassified report suggesting that both India and Pakistan had engaged in “clandestine” activities during the 2019 and 2021 elections.
The report alleged that in 2021, India targeted specific electoral districts with significant Indian-origin voters sympathetic to the Khalistani movement or pro-Pakistan sentiments. It also suggested that proxy agents may have attempted to provide illicit financial support to certain candidates.
Pakistan, on the other hand, was accused of covertly influencing Canadian politics before the 2019 election to serve its interests.
India has dismissed these allegations as “baseless,” accusing Canada of interfering in its internal matters. Tensions between the two nations escalated after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—an accusation India called “absurd.”
Concerns Over China and Russia
CSIS also warned that China and Russia could attempt to interfere in the elections.
“The People’s Republic of China is highly likely to use AI-enabled tools and social media to spread narratives that align with its interests, particularly targeting Chinese ethnic, cultural, and religious communities in Canada,” Lloyd stated.
Russia, according to CSIS, has developed online networks to amplify Kremlin-backed narratives and may use them to manipulate information and influence Canadian voters.
As Canada prepares for its general election, concerns over foreign interference remain a key issue, with authorities closely monitoring any suspicious activities.
