India 2nd Biggest Threat To Canadian Democracy After China, Says Parliamentary Panel

The report released by a high-level Canadian Parliamentary panel mentions India 44 times in its 84-page report.

The report by Canadian Parliamentary panel states India to be second biggest threat to Canada after China

A report released by a high-level Canadian Parliamentary panel has stated that India is second biggest threat to Canadian democracy after China, reported CBC News. 

The development comes amid a diplomatic rift between the two countries after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.  

The report was released by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP), a cross-party group of MPs and senators with top security clearances this week. 

In its 84-page report, India has been mentioned 44 times alleging that New Delhi is "interfering in Canadian democratic processes and institutions, including through the targeting of Canadian politicians, ethnic media and Indo-Canadian ethnocultural communities." 

The report says that India's foreign interference efforts are not as widespread as that of China but are "of significant concern." 

"India seeks to cultivate relationships with a variety of witting and unwitting individuals across Canadian society with the intent of inappropriately exerting India's influence across all orders of government, particularly to stifle or discredit criticism of the Government of India," the report stated. 

The NSICOP document has alleged New Delhi of having an "active proxy" who has "proactively looked for ways to further India's interests by monitoring and attempting to influence politicians."

One of the notes attached to the heavily redacted report explaining those redactions offered details on India's alleged use of proxies, as per the CBC News report. 

One such note indicated an Indian proxy claimed to have "repeatedly transferred funds from India to politicians at all levels of government in return for political favours, including raising issues in Parliament."

Another note suggested that India likely reimbursed "a proxy who had provided funds to candidates of two federal parties."