India, Cyber Espionage, and Political Influence: What Canada’s Report Unveils

The recently released Report of Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions has laid bare a disturbing reality: India is one of the most aggressive foreign actors in Canadian elections. The findings reveal a systematic effort by New Delhi to manipulate political outcomes, finance pro-India candidates, and silence critics, particularly those advocating for Sikh rights. This report, backed by intelligence assessments and official government documents, is not just an indictment of India’s illicit influence operations in Canada but also a cautionary tale for democracies worldwide.

For years, India has painted itself as the world’s largest democracy, but its actions tell a different story. Whether through cyber warfare, disinformation campaigns, financial coercion, or even state-sponsored assassinations, India has consistently demonstrated a pattern of interference in sovereign nations’ internal affairs. The revelations in the Canadian report reaffirm what has long been suspected: India is not just an actor in the geopolitical arena but an orchestrator of clandestine operations aimed at subverting democratic processes.

Electoral Interference: India’s Political Puppeteering in Canada

According to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), India is the second-most active foreign state involved in electoral interference in Canada, directly influencing federal elections in both 2019 and 2021. By supporting pro-India candidates and targeting its critics, India has exploited Canada’s democratic framework to its advantage. Reports from Global News (2019) indicate that Indian officials attempted to sway Indo-Canadian candidates by providing unofficial backing and campaign support. South Asia Journal (2021) highlighted India’s lobbying efforts to counter Sikh activism, dating back to the post-1984 anti-Sikh riots era. CSIS Intelligence Reports (2021-2024) confirm the involvement of Indian-origin business tycoons with dual nationalities in illicit funding for pro-India politicians in Canada. This political maneuvering raises serious concerns about India’s covert influence across the West, as it actively works to place individuals sympathetic to its geopolitical interests in positions of power.

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India’s Shadow Financing: A Web of Proxy Agents

The report further exposes India’s use of proxy networks to channel financial support to its preferred candidates. Intelligence sources confirm that Indian intelligence agencies and diplomatic officials have engaged in covert funding operations, offering monetary incentives in exchange for policy shifts that align with New Delhi’s strategic goals. The 2021 CSIS Report confirmed that Indian intelligence was linked to election financing in Canada. The Globe & Mail (2011) uncovered a scandal involving Indian-origin politicians taking undeclared donations to push New Delhi’s foreign policy objectives. The 2023 Canadian Intelligence Committee Report exposed Indian diplomats influencing Canadian federal elections by offering financial backing to certain candidates. These revelations highlight the extent of India’s interference, making it clear that New Delhi is not just passively observing international politics but actively manipulating them through illicit financial networks.

Disinformation and Digital Warfare: India’s Media Manipulation

Beyond direct electoral interference, India has engaged in extensive disinformation campaigns to shape public perception and undermine its critics. The EU DisinfoLab Report (2021) exposed over 750 fake news outlets linked to India, pushing pro-Indian narratives and targeting Sikh activists worldwide. The BBC (2023) reported that Indian-backed social media pages were running smear campaigns against Sikh leaders in Canada. The Toronto Star (2016) revealed that Indian officials pressured Canadian media outlets to suppress pro-Khalistan activism. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (2024) confirmed India’s involvement in orchestrating deepfake propaganda campaigns against Sikh advocacy groups. India’s extensive disinformation apparatus is not just a threat to Canada but a global menace. The ability to manipulate digital narratives and silence opposition voices highlights India’s authoritarian tendencies beneath its democratic façade.

Surveillance, Intimidation, and Political Suppression

The report also confirms that India actively monitors, pressures, and suppresses Sikh Canadians who advocate for Khalistan or expose India’s human rights violations. Canadian authorities have documented cases of Indian intelligence operatives surveilling and intimidating Sikh activists, using coercion tactics to silence dissent. The 2018 Macdonald-Laurier Institute Report exposed how Indian intelligence agencies actively track Sikh activists in Canada. In 2019, Canada’s NDP leader Jagmeet Singh was denied a visa to India due to his vocal support for Sikh rights. In 2015, Canadian authorities deported Indian intelligence agents caught spying on Sikh leaders in Vancouver. These actions demonstrate a troubling pattern: India is not content with merely influencing elections; it seeks to systematically suppress voices that challenge its official narratives, even beyond its borders.

From Assassinations to Cyber Espionage: India’s Covert Playbook

Perhaps the most damning revelation in the Canadian report is India’s direct involvement in state-sponsored assassinations. The 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil led Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to publicly accuse India of orchestrating a targeted killing. This diplomatic crisis exposed India’s willingness to violate international norms to eliminate its critics abroad. The Guardian (2020) documented death threats against Sikh activists in Canada, allegedly originating from Indian intelligence. The Toronto Sun (2018) reported a foiled assassination attempt against a Sikh leader in Toronto, linked to an Indian-origin operative. The CBC (1985) uncovered Indian intelligence’s suspected involvement in the Air India bombing, a major aviation terror attack that killed 329 people. CSIS Counter-Terrorism Briefing (2024) flagged concerns about India’s history of targeted assassinations.

Additionally, India has emerged as a major cyber threat, engaging in espionage and disinformation warfare. The 2023 CSIS Cybersecurity Report flagged India as an active cyber-espionage threat to Canada. Amnesty International (2021) exposed India’s use of Pegasus spyware to hack activists abroad, including in Canada. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (2024) reported that Indian state-backed bot networks spread propaganda through social media manipulation.

A Global Threat to Democracy

The findings of Canada’s inquiry are a wake-up call for democracies worldwide. India’s foreign interference is not an isolated incident but part of a broader strategy to exert influence through covert operations. Whether through election meddling, financial corruption, digital propaganda, or targeted assassinations, India has systematically undermined democratic norms. The international community must respond decisively. Diplomatic sanctions, intelligence-sharing agreements, and enhanced cybersecurity cooperation should be implemented to counter India’s subversive tactics. The international community must take a firm stance against India’s covert operations to protect democratic institutions and global stability.

Conclusion

The Canadian Public Inquiry Report has lifted the veil on India’s subversive activities. From political manipulation to cyber espionage, disinformation campaigns, and assassinations, India has proven to be a rogue actor on the global stage. It is time for the world to hold India accountable and take decisive action to curb its malign influence.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own. They do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of the South Asia Times.

Haris Bilal Malik

Haris Bilal Malik is an Islamabad-based independent researcher and policy analyst specializing in contemporary South Asian issues. Formerly a researcher at the Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) in Islamabad, he holds an M.Phil in International Relations from the National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad. His expertise lies in regional and international security, particularly nuclear security. He has also worked with the Strategic Vision Institute (SVI), Muslim Youth University (MYU), and the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI).

South Asia Times

India, Cyber Espionage, and Political Influence: What Canada’s Report Unveils