India is second most dangerous to Canadian democracy, ahead of Russia according to a govt committee report. China remains the top threat Today News
Livemint
06/06/2024
Canadian Parliamentary panel has identified India as the second largest threat to the country’s democracy, after China. Canada PM Justin Trudeau says, taking issue ‘very seriously’. Pakistan as well as Iran are two other countries mentioned as potential threats as threats in the NSICOP report.
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A high-level Canadian panel of the Canadian parliament has deemed India as being the “second biggest foreign threat” to the country’s democratic system after China According to an Hindustan Times report.
In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a statement in a statement, stated that his government is taking this issue “very seriously.”
NSICOP Report Insights
The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP), comprised of senators and MPs who hold the highest security clearances, published the report amid a worsening of relations between Canada and India. HT said.
This is in the midst of growing tensions between the two countries after Trudeau in the past year alleged in the past that Indian government officials were behind the murder the Khalistani militant Hardeep Singh Nijjar the claim that New Delhi called “absurd” The newspaper added.
This report suggests certain Canadian MPs could be influencers by other countries. They also suggest that these MPs could have behaved in a way that was inappropriate in their interactions with foreign mission officials, attempted to “improperly influence” colleagues, and even shared confidential information with diplomats from abroad. Certain MPs could have received funds from foreign actors, or their representatives, as indicated in the report that HT has cited.
China as the Primary Actor
The report was presented by the Prime Minister’s Office in May. It was then introduced in Parliament with the redactions as per the report. The report noted China as being the “most prolific actor” in foreign interference. It also stated that the Chinese’s strategies are aimed at protecting and enhancing the credibility and security that is the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
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“In its efforts to protect and enhance the legitimacy and stability of the CCP domestically and abroad, the PRC employs a comprehensive approach to targeting and leveraging virtually all aspects of Canada’s democratic processes and institutions to advance its strategic interests,” it stated.
India’s Rising Influence
As per the research India was found to be “emerged as the second-most significant foreign interference threat to Canada’s democratic institutions and processes,” overtaking Russia. India’s attempts to interfere in Canada have increased and now go beyond the fight against militant elements of the Khalistan in Canada with a focus on Canadian officials as well as ethnic media and Indo-Canadian communities HT reported using the panel.
“India is now the second most significant threat from foreign interference to the Canadian democratic institutions and processes, replacing Russia. Indian foreign intervention efforts have gradually grown and widened beyond the countering of proand pro Khalistanelements within Canada. They also interfere with Canadian democratic institutions and processes as well as the targeting of Canadian officials as well as media of ethnic origin and Indo-Canadian ethnocultural societies,” it alleged. The report cites India 44 times in the 84-page report.
Indian officials haven’t been able to respond to the allegations. New Delhi has previously dismissed similar claims and also accused Canadian officials of influencing Indian issues, asserting that Canada is a safe haven for Khalistani and other extremists.
Other Foreign Interference
The report also emphasized the violations by Pakistan in particular during the initial phase of the review and mentions the fact that China, India, Pakistan as well as Iran have all engaged to engage in “transnational repression”.
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It refers to Trudeau’s declaration on September 18, last year, concerning “credible allegations” linking Indian agents to Nijjar’s murder within Surrey, British Columbia, on the 18th of June 2023. Nijjar was declared as a Terrorist by India.
Established in 2018, NSICOP manages security and intelligence issues. It comprises members of the House as well as in the Senate and is headed by Liberal Party MP David McGuinty.
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Published: 06 Jun 2024, 10:15 AM IST
