Urgent Call to Address Foreign Interference Exposed in NSICOP Report
June 13, 2024
Justice for All Canada is deeply concerned by the findings of the latest National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) report on foreign interference. The comprehensive publication, released in June 2024, provides critical insights into the extent of foreign interference in Canada’s democratic processes, with a significant focus on activities by the Indian government. Documented extensively by Justice For All Canada, India's ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and its association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), promote a right-wing Hindutva ideology with profound human rights implications for religious, ethnic and Indigenous minorities.
The groundbreaking NSICOP report reveals that India is the second-most significant foreign interference threat to Canada’s democratic institutions and process, second only to China. India’s foreign interference is labelled as a “significant concern”, as well as a “significant threat to national securty”. This interference includes the targeting of Canadian politicians and Indo-Canadian ethnocultural communities, as well as the manipulation of ethnic media. For example, the report includes instances of financial inducements and media manipulation to influence parliamentary decisions. The report also notes that India seeks to cultivate relationships with a variety of witting and unwitting individuals across Canadian society, with the goal of inappropriately exerting India’s influence across orders of Canadian government to stifle or discredit cricism of the Government of India.
Importantly, the report notes that some Canadian MPs (whose names have been redacted) have wittingly or unwittingly facilitated India’s foreign interference activities in Canada. For example, the report notes instances of MPs who worked to influence their colleagues on India’s behalf, and also proactively provided confidential information to Indian officials.
"With our legislative integrity compromised and minorities threatened by BJP's right-wing influences, it's crucial for the Canadian government to investigate the BJP's role in human rights violations against vulnerable Indian communities and its unsettling infiltration into Canada," said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director.
The extensively documented interference impacts not only Canada’s political landscape but also public perception and media narratives. India has employed proxies to further its interests, including the use of ethnic media to manipulate narratives and discredit political figures. This strategy includes the dissemination of materials by Indian intelligence aimed at influencing Canadian public opinion and policy. In fact, the report notes that Indian officials have developed an entire network of contacts through which it conducts foreign interference, including journalists, members of ethnocultural communities, and MPs. There are also documented cases of financial support to candidates from two political parties, with the candidates unaware of the source of the funds.
The report further highlights the targeting of Indo-Canadian ethnocultural communities, particularly those perceived to be supportive of the pro-Khalistani movement. The purpose of such targeting is to suppress dissent and manipulate community dynamics for political gain.
These revelations are deeply concerning with serious implications for human rights in Canada. Deliberately undermining democratic institutions erodes trust and infringes on the rights and freedoms of Canadian citizens, particularly those within the Indian diaspora.
We stress the need for immediate and decisive action to safeguard minorities and eliminate potentially harmful influences in Canadian social and political life.
Sources
Justice for All Canada is deeply concerned by the findings of the latest National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) report on foreign interference. The comprehensive publication, released in June 2024, provides critical insights into the extent of foreign interference in Canada’s democratic processes, with a significant focus on activities by the Indian government. Documented extensively by Justice For All Canada, India's ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and its association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), promote a right-wing Hindutva ideology with profound human rights implications for religious, ethnic and Indigenous minorities.
The groundbreaking NSICOP report reveals that India is the second-most significant foreign interference threat to Canada’s democratic institutions and process, second only to China. India’s foreign interference is labelled as a “significant concern”, as well as a “significant threat to national securty”. This interference includes the targeting of Canadian politicians and Indo-Canadian ethnocultural communities, as well as the manipulation of ethnic media. For example, the report includes instances of financial inducements and media manipulation to influence parliamentary decisions. The report also notes that India seeks to cultivate relationships with a variety of witting and unwitting individuals across Canadian society, with the goal of inappropriately exerting India’s influence across orders of Canadian government to stifle or discredit cricism of the Government of India.
Importantly, the report notes that some Canadian MPs (whose names have been redacted) have wittingly or unwittingly facilitated India’s foreign interference activities in Canada. For example, the report notes instances of MPs who worked to influence their colleagues on India’s behalf, and also proactively provided confidential information to Indian officials.
"With our legislative integrity compromised and minorities threatened by BJP's right-wing influences, it's crucial for the Canadian government to investigate the BJP's role in human rights violations against vulnerable Indian communities and its unsettling infiltration into Canada," said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director.
The extensively documented interference impacts not only Canada’s political landscape but also public perception and media narratives. India has employed proxies to further its interests, including the use of ethnic media to manipulate narratives and discredit political figures. This strategy includes the dissemination of materials by Indian intelligence aimed at influencing Canadian public opinion and policy. In fact, the report notes that Indian officials have developed an entire network of contacts through which it conducts foreign interference, including journalists, members of ethnocultural communities, and MPs. There are also documented cases of financial support to candidates from two political parties, with the candidates unaware of the source of the funds.
The report further highlights the targeting of Indo-Canadian ethnocultural communities, particularly those perceived to be supportive of the pro-Khalistani movement. The purpose of such targeting is to suppress dissent and manipulate community dynamics for political gain.
These revelations are deeply concerning with serious implications for human rights in Canada. Deliberately undermining democratic institutions erodes trust and infringes on the rights and freedoms of Canadian citizens, particularly those within the Indian diaspora.
- In light of these findings, Justice For All Canada urges the Canadian government to officially reassess its trade and economic relationship with India under the Indo-Pacific Strategy Agreement.
- Parliamentary committees on foreign affairs and human rights must launch long-awaited studies about the degrading human rights situation of minorities in India and Canada’s relationship with India.
- Canadian foreign policy must prioritize the protection of our institutions and implement stronger measures against foreign interference, including enhanced detection, prevention, and punitive measures to address foreign interference comprehensively.
- Increased transparency and accountability are essential, including clear and public identification of individuals and entities involved in foreign interference to restore trust.
- The Canadian government must impose protective measures for communities targeted by Indian foreign interference.
We stress the need for immediate and decisive action to safeguard minorities and eliminate potentially harmful influences in Canadian social and political life.
Sources
- Special Report: Foreign Interference in Canada’s Democratic Processes and Institutions, published by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians.
- Proxies and 'media manipulation': What the NSICOP report said about political meddling by India.
- Green Leader Elizabeth May says there's no list of disloyal current MPs in unredacted NSICOP report.