In a strongly worded response, India has firmly rejected a Canadian report alleging the Indian government’s interference in Canadian elections. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that it is Canada that has been consistently interfering in India’s internal affairs. On Tuesday, January 28, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen a report about alleged activities on purported interference. It is in fact Canada which has been consistently interfering in India’s internal affairs.”

He further stated that this situation has created an environment enabling illegal migration and organized criminal activities. He rejected the report’s insinuations on India and noted that the support system facilitating illegal migration will not be encouraged further.

The report from the Canadian Commission claimed that India was actively involved in the country’s electoral process after India. The 123-page report also highlighted India’s role as a critical actor on the global stage, similar to PRC. The report read, “Canada and India have collaborated for decades, yet there are challenges in the relationship. Many of these are long-standing and shape India’s foreign interference activities.”

The report also mentioned the six diplomats expelled last year, labeling them as ‘agents’. Additionally, it referred to the incident on October 14, 2024, when Canada expelled six Indian diplomats after police collected evidence that linked them as agents of the Indian government’s ‘campaign of violence’.

In response, India expelled six Canadian diplomats shortly after it summoned Canada’s Charge d’Affaires Stewart Wheeler. It sent out the message that the ‘baseless targeting’ of the High Commissioner of India along with other Indian diplomats in Canada was entirely unacceptable. On Canada’s claim that India circulated false information concerning the killing of a Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India on November 20, 2024, strongly refuted the reports.