The Modi Doctrine: PIFI Report’s Stark Warning

On January 28, 2025, Canada released the Final Report of the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference (PIFI), bringing to light troubling evidence of foreign influence in the country’s democratic institutions. Led by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, the inquiry investigated alleged interference by multiple states, including China, Russia, and India, in Canada’s political and electoral processes.

While the report concluded that these foreign efforts did not alter election results, it warned of systematic, long-term attempts to manipulate Canada’s democratic institutions. Among the most striking revelations was India’s involvement in transnational repression and political interference, particularly targeting Sikh activists and pro-Khalistan supporters.

As Western democracies grapple with the challenges posed by foreign interference, India’s growing role in influencing political landscapes abroad has raised critical concerns about democratic sovereignty, national security, and civil liberties.

Political Interference and Transnational Repression

The PIFI Report classified India as a “moderate to high” threat to Canadian democracy—an alarming designation typically applied to states engaged in destabilization strategies. According to the findings, India’s interference operates through both community-level initiatives and state-directed strategies, designed to neutralize opposition voices, reshape public narratives, and advance New Delhi’s geopolitical objectives abroad.

PIFI Report: Key Findings on India’s Influence Operations:

1. Community-Level Suppression – Surveillance, coercion, and intimidation targeting Sikh activists, journalists, and community leaders advocating for Khalistan.
2. State-Directed Political Lobbying – Using diplomatic pressure, economic leverage, and media influence to sway political actors and public discourse in Canada.
3. Espionage and Extraterritorial Targeting – Intelligence-led operations allegedly involved in monitoring, harassing, and even orchestrating threats against dissidents abroad.

These actions, according to the inquiry, go beyond conventional diplomacy and fall into a pattern of transnational repression—a term used to describe state-led efforts to silence dissent outside a country’s borders.

Also See: Inside & Beyond the India-Canada Diplomatic Trouble

Canada: A Key Target of Indian Interference

Canada’s large Sikh diaspora—estimated at over 770,000 people—has made it a focal point of Indian influence operations. The PIFI Report detailed multiple tactics employed by Indian intelligence and diplomatic networks, including:

• Surveillance and Threats – Indian intelligence agencies allegedly tracked Sikh activists and journalists, exerting pressure through diplomatic and non-state actors.
• Political Influence and Media Manipulation – Engaging in covert lobbying efforts and information campaigns to shift public opinion and marginalize voices critical of India’s policies.
• Economic and Diplomatic Coercion – Leveraging trade ties and diplomatic channels to discourage support for Sikh self-determination movements.
• Extrajudicial Operations – Allegations of Indian involvement in the targeted killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia (June 18, 2023) further intensified scrutiny of New Delhi’s foreign actions.

A Global Pattern: UK and US Also Under Pressure

India’s foreign interference efforts are not limited to Canada. Similar trends have been reported in the UK and the US, where India has used diaspora networks and diplomatic channels to push pro-Modi, Hindutva-driven narratives while pressuring political actors into compliance.

• United Kingdom: UK-based Sikh and Kashmiri activists have reported increased surveillance, diplomatic intimidation, and lobbying efforts aimed at discrediting their movements.
• United States: Reports suggest Indian lobbying groups have actively worked to shape U.S. foreign policy on India’s domestic issues, using economic leverage and strategic alliances to suppress criticism.

The PIFI Report’s findings indicate that India’s actions are part of a broader trend of democratic subversion, where states manipulate political systems abroad to serve their domestic and international interests.

A Growing Threat to Democratic Norms

India’s alleged actions mirror the tactics of authoritarian states traditionally associated with foreign interference, such as Russia and China. The PIFI Report underscores how these efforts pose a serious threat to democratic integrity, prompting urgent questions for global policymakers:

• How should democracies counteract foreign interference without compromising diplomatic relations?
• What legal frameworks can be implemented to deter transnational repression?
• To what extent should diaspora communities be protected from state-led intimidation?

The Need for a Coordinated Response

The revelations from Canada’s PIFI Report highlight the necessity for a unified and strategic response from democratic nations. Proposed countermeasures include:

• Stronger Intelligence Cooperation – Enhancing information-sharing among democracies to monitor and counteract foreign influence operations.
• Diplomatic Consequences – Holding states accountable for interference through diplomatic measures, sanctions, and public condemnations.
• Policy Reforms – Strengthening legislative protections against foreign political manipulation and transnational repression.
• Community Awareness and Protection – Educating diaspora communities about foreign interference tactics and providing legal protections for targeted individuals.

Conclusion

The January 28, 2025, PIFI Report serves as a wake-up call: foreign interference is no longer just a theoretical threat—it is an active and ongoing challenge to democratic governance. While Canada has taken a step toward transparency by publicly addressing these concerns, the global implications of India’s actions require broader international scrutiny and response.

This is not just Canada’s problem—it is a matter of global democratic norms. If left unchecked, such tactics could erode political sovereignty and set a dangerous precedent for state-led repression beyond national borders. As the world watches how Canada responds, other democracies must take decisive steps to safeguard their institutions before similar threats escalate elsewhere.