As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the concluding day of the G7 summit, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) reiterated its concerns about persistent foreign interference from New Delhi. In an annual report presented to Parliament, CSIS identified India as a primary threat alongside China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan, all marked as key actors in foreign interference activities.
The CSIS report, which is set for release on their website following the summit, detailed ongoing investigations into the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, an incident that had raised diplomatic tensions between Canada and India. Historical context reveals that former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the RCMP have suggested connections between Indian government agents and Nijjar's murder—an assertion India has denied, leading to mutual expulsions of diplomats between the two nations.
During the summit, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Modi engaged in a bilateral meeting where they discussed enhancing diplomatic relations and appointing new high commissioners. Carney’s administration aims to broaden trade relations, particularly with large markets like India and China, as tensions with China have increased following significant diplomatic incidents.
The G7 leaders issued a statement addressed to state-sponsored repression globally, expressing alarm over incidents of transnational repression while intentionally omitting direct references to India. The declaration emphasized the importance of safeguarding national security, asserting the need for strategies to support those targeted by oppressive state actions.
CSIS's report maintained that it is crucial to remain vigilant regarding foreign interference efforts, particularly India's targeting of ethnic and political communities within Canada. It highlighted Canda’s political landscape as a potential area of influence for Indian nationals pushing their agenda, particularly regarding the Khalistan movement.
On topics related to other countries, CSIS noted that Russia has conducted hostile acts against Canada, framing it as a legitimate target amid its confrontations with NATO. The report conveyed that Russia has engaged in sabotage and espionage tactics, while still categorizing China as the "greatest counter-intelligence threat" due to its aggressive pursuit of technological and classified information through espionage and intelligence-gathering operations.
Additionally, Pakistan was called out for attempting to sway political choices within Canada, while Iran was implicated in worldwide assassination plots against dissidents, revealing a broader network of foreign interference threats Canada continues to navigate.
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