In a heated exchange between India and Canada, New Delhi vehemently refuted allegations of interference in Canadian democratic processes while accusing Canada of meddling in India’s internal affairs. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, rebuffed Canadian claims as baseless during a routine press briefing.

“We strongly reject such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections. It is not the government of India’s policy to interfere in the democratic process of other countries,” asserted Jaiswal.

Highlighting the reciprocal nature of the accusations, Jaiswal pointed fingers at Canada, accusing it of consistently interfering in India’s internal matters. “In fact, quite the reverse, it is Canada who has been interfering in our internal affairs,” he remarked, underscoring India’s persistent efforts to address these concerns with Canadian authorities.

The tension between the two nations escalated following a report by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, labeling India as a ‘foreign interference threat’ and urging the government to safeguard Canada’s democratic institutions from potential manipulation.

The report, titled Briefing to the Minister of Democratic Institutions on Foreign Interference, also identified China as a significant threat to Canadian democracy. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced investigations into alleged Indian interference in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian general elections, further straining bilateral relations.

The deterioration in relations between India and Canada was exacerbated last year when Trudeau accused India of involvement in the assassination of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. India promptly dismissed the allegations as unfounded.