National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says India is one of the main sources of foreign interference in Canada.
Jody Thomas recalls that “a number of state actors and non-state agents” carry out foreign interference in Canada, and at a conference last week she admittedly listed three countries that Ottawa frequently cites in this regard. : China, Russia and Iran.
Butme Thomas also specifically mentioned India, a country the Liberals are banking on in their Indo-Pacific Strategy to build closer economic and scientific ties there — and reduce Canada’s dependence on China.
Federal agencies have warned in recent years that India may attempt to influence communities in Canada. The predecessor of Mme Thomas in the Prime Minister’s Office had suggested that rogue elements of the Indian government had tried to embarrass Mr Trudeau during his visit to India in February 2018.
New Delhi sometimes points out that elements in Canada are behind interference in India’s internal affairs, in particular a Sikh-led separatist movement, which has sometimes resorted to violence.
The New Democratic Party (NDP) has often cited India as a source of foreign interference in Canada. The NDP also believes that Ottawa should limit its ties with that country because of human rights concerns.
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