Canadian intelligence flags potential foreign interference by Pakistan in April 28 elections, alleging efforts to counter India’s rising influence and sway political outcomes.
March 25, 2025: Ottawa/New Delhi — Canada has raised a major red flag against Pakistan, accusing it of planning foreign interference in the country’s upcoming general elections on April 28, allegedly to counter India’s growing global influence.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Vanessa Lloyd, Deputy Director of Operations at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), said Islamabad could attempt to meddle in Canada’s democratic processes for strategic gains.
“The Government of Pakistan could potentially conduct foreign interference activities against Canada… to counter India’s growing global influence,” Lloyd told reporters.
India Also Under the Lens
In a significant revelation, Ms Lloyd also stated that India has the intent and capability to interfere in Canadian communities and democratic mechanisms, adding to the ongoing diplomatic tension between the two countries.
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This isn’t the first time Canada has made such claims. In April 2024, CSIS released an unclassified summary during a federal inquiry, alleging “clandestine” activities by both India and Pakistan during the 2019 and 2021 general elections.
The report suggested that:
- India may have targeted ridings with voters sympathetic to the Khalistan movement or pro-Pakistan views.
- Allegations included undisclosed financial support to preferred candidates through proxy agents.
- Pakistan, meanwhile, was accused of attempting to covertly shape federal political outcomes ahead of the 2019 election.
India rejected the earlier claims as “baseless”, stating that it was, in fact, Canada meddling in Indian internal affairs, especially following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s controversial accusation that New Delhi was linked to the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar — a claim that India called “absurd.”
China, Russia Also Named
Beyond South Asia, the CSIS said China and Russia remain potent threats to Canada’s democratic processes.
- China is “highly likely” to use AI-powered tools and social media manipulation to shape narratives and influence voters, particularly in ethnic Chinese communities.
- Russia, on the other hand, is reportedly operating networks that spread Kremlin-friendly content online, potentially to manipulate public opinion during the election.
“It is possible that Russia will use these networks for foreign information manipulation operations,” said Lloyd.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently announced the general election, intensifying scrutiny over foreign interference risks amid a politically volatile environment.
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