Canada broadens probe into alleged Indian interference in federal elections

Months after the India-Canada row over Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing, Justin Trudeau’s country has now said it would examine the alleged Indian interference in its last two general elections, in 2019 and 2021.

This comes after a Bloomberg report last year stated that Trudeau initiated an inquiry following the leak of intelligence documents to the media. These documents alleged that China had interfered in Canada’s elections by endorsing candidates sympathetic to President Xi Jinping’s government.

On Wednesday, the commission confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government will be investigated, Bloomberg reported.

Now, a report with Global News has confirmed that Canada’s federal commission of inquiry into foreign interference has said it was looking to examine alleged meddling by India and whether India played any role in influencing the two ballots (2019 and 2021).

The commission also said it had asked the federal government to produce documentation related to such allegations.

The commission’s initial hearings are set to begin on Monday (January 29) and will look at the challenges and limitations of disclosing classified national security information and intelligence to the public.

The commission’s interim report is expected on May 3, while the final report is expected by the end of this year.

The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Trudeau’s allegations on September 18 of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.