An independent commission that is enquiring alleged foreign interference in elections in Canada asked the Trudeau government on Wednesday to share information about possible ‘meddling’ by India.
According to a Reuters report the commission said that it had requested the Canadian government to provide documents relating to alleged interference by India related to the 2019 and 2021 elections.
In September 2023, the probe commission was set up by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to conduct a public inquiry into foreign meddling in Canadian affairs. It was setup after reports surfaced alleging Chinese attempts to influence elections. China has repeatedly denied any interference.
There was a mounting pressure for an inquiry after the reports, the report said.
“The commission will also examine the flow of information within the federal government in relation to these issues, evaluate the actions taken in response, assess the federal government’s capacity to detect, deter, and counter foreign interference, and make recommendations on these issues,” the report quoted the statement.
The commission led by Quebec Judge Marie-Josee Hogue is conducting an independent public probe into allegations of attempted foreign meddling in Canadian affairs by China, Russia and others, the report said.
The interim report by the commmission is expected by May 3 and the final report by the end of this year.
India and Canada have seen tense bilateral situations following Khalistan separatist rallies in Canada. The relations took a major blow when Canada alleged Indian agents had links to the murder of a Sikh separatist and Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year. India has rejected that allegation.
The Indian High Commission in Canada is yet to respond to a request for comment on Wednesday, the Reuters report said. The latest development the probe commission including India could worsen the already-tense bilateral relations between Ottawa and New Delhi.