“Canadian government sat on intelligence about India’s foreign interference activities, claims lawyer representing Sikh groups”
Despite an abundance of evidence regarding India’s foreign interference activities in Canada, the Canadian government chose not to act, according to a lawyer representing Sikh groups in the country. The recent Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference raised concerns among Sikh Canadians, who felt that the government’s narrow focus on electoral interference failed to address the broader threat posed by India.
Neglected Threat of Indian Interference
The commission’s terms of reference initially excluded India from its scope, despite evidence of attempts by Indian proxy agents to interfere in Canadian elections and spread disinformation. It was only after pressure from Sikh community groups that India was eventually included in the inquiry. The lawyer representing the Sikh Coalition, Prabjot Singh, emphasized the longstanding history of Indian foreign interference in Canada and the need for meaningful action to address the issue.
Deliberate Oversight or Policy Objective?
Singh pointed out that redacted documents revealed significant evidence of India’s activities, yet the government failed to take meaningful steps to address the threat publicly. He suggested that the decision to focus more on Russia and China during the inquiry was a deliberate attempt to protect Canada’s foreign policy objectives, potentially at the expense of national security. Singh raised concerns that Sikh Canadians were being used as a bargaining chip in Canada’s relationship with India, citing the assassination of Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar as an example of the community being left vulnerable.
Demanding Transparency and Accountability
As the inquiry highlighted the extent of foreign interference activities monitored by Canadian agencies, Singh called for transparency from the government regarding their knowledge and actions taken. He emphasized the need to dismantle foreign interference networks, implement threat reduction mechanisms, and ultimately protect Canadians from the dangers posed by disinformation and violence.
Compelling Conclusion
The revelations from the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference underscore the importance of addressing the threats posed by foreign actors, including India, to Canada’s national security. The failure to adequately respond to these threats not only leaves Canadian citizens vulnerable but also raises questions about the government’s priorities and accountability. As the Sikh community continues to advocate for transparency and justice, it is crucial for policymakers to prioritize the protection of all Canadians from foreign interference and uphold the principles of democracy and security.”
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