Trudeau-made probe panel asks Trudeau to give evidence of Indian 'interference' in Canada elections

Justin Trudeau will face Canada in 2025, that is next year. He has to keep his constituencies of support intact; one of his staunch crutches are the Khalistanis in Canada. After accusing India of assassinating Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Ottawa is now probing New Delhi for interfering in 2019 and 2021 elections. India has been clubbed with China and Russia. An ostensibly independent commission that has been set up by Trudeau himself is probing allegations of foreign interference in Canada. This body has asked Trudeau to furnish information regarding possible meddling in elections by India. The commission said it had requested the Canadian government to provide documents “relating to alleged interference by India related to the 2019 and 2021 elections.” “The commission will also examine the flow of information within the federal government in relation to these issues, evaluate the actions taken in response, assess the federal government’s capacity to detect, deter, and counter foreign interference, and make recommendations on these issues,” it said. This would further aggravate the existing tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi. The commission was set up by Trudeau in September to conduct a public inquiry into foreign meddling in Canadian affairs following the leak of intelligence documents to the media last year. The leak mentioned China’s interference and favouring candidates who were more sympathetic to President Xi Jinping’s government. It also suggest Russia too was involved. The first hearings of the commission are scheduled to commence from Monday and is likely to focus on the difficulties and restrictions associated with releasing intelligence and sensitive national security information to the public. The commission, led by Quebec Judge Marie-Josee Hogue, is charged with conducting an independent public inquiry into allegations of attempted foreign interference in Canadian affairs by China, Russia and others states as well as non-state entities. Although no other nations are mentioned specifically, national security experts have also identified Iran and India as major sources of foreign interference. A full report from the commission is expected by the end of the year, and an interim report is due on 3 May. India-Canada standoff The diplomatic standoff between Canada and India started in September last year, when Trudeau directly accused India of carrying out killing of Nijjar, a Canadian individual labelled as a terrorist by India. He was shot by masked assailants. The Indian government denied the claim, calling it “absurd and motivated." The accusation strained the ties between India and Canada. Following the accusation, India temporarily suspended visas for Canadians and threatened to revoke the immunity of two-thirds of Canada’s diplomats, forcing them to leave India. Also, the important trade negotiations between the two countries have been put on hold for several months. With inputs from agencies