New Delhi: A Canadian news website, Global news on Friday published a news report claiming that Indian intelligence — Research and Analysis Wing and Intelligence Bureau, attempted to “covertly influence” Canadian politicians into supporting Indian Government interests through a planted source.
The report claimed that an Indian citizen in Canada in the name of “A.B.” who is editor-in-chief of an unnamed Indian newspaper, was being used for espionage and to sway Canadian politicians into supporting Indian government interests.
Despite the grave allegations, the Ministry of Home Affairs, IB and R&AW, when contacted, were silent on the report and refused to comment on the same.
“We cannot comment on this,” a home ministry official told ThePrint.
Senior IB and R&AW too did not comment on the alleged operation. “No comments on such media reports,” a senior R&AW officer said.
A source in IB, however said that an officer of IB is posted in Ottawa and R&AW too has its own set up at both Ottawa and Toronto under HCI and CGI respectively.
“If such an operation is on then it would be directly under the higher ups,” the source said.
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A court document
The report by Global News also mentions a document which they claim shows the alleged “foreign influence operation” by Indian intelligence agencies.
The document, the report claims, shows how an Indian national, accused by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service of espionage, was at the centre of the operation.
The report claimed that the court records identified the man as “A.B.,” editor-in-chief of an unnamed Indian newspaper. His wife and son are Canadian citizens.
“He allegedly met Indian intelligence more than 25 times over six years, most recently in May 2015 — a month after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Canada,” the Global News wrote.
The report also says that the man denied allegations of being “covertly” “tasked” by Indian “handlers,” and said he had only met the intelligence agencies in his capacity as an editor, Global News reported.
The report in Global News also quoted a letter by immigration authorities according to which, one of A.B’s tasks was allegedly “to convince politicians that funding from Canada was being sent to Pakistan to support terrorism.”
Court finds arguments unreasonable
According to the report in Global News, even though Canada refused to allow A.B. into the country on the grounds he was engaged in espionage, the court overturned that decision because it was based on a summary of his alleged statements rather than a transcript.
The news website also quoted the court order in which it said that the decision to exclude him from Canada rested largely on an immigration officer’s finding that he frequently met Indian intelligence officers and that the reason was not good enough.
“A.B. is a journalist and editor-in-chief of a newspaper. It is not inconceivable that he would meet with government sources every other month while maintaining his journalistic independence,” the news report quoted the court order saying.
The court also said that in accusing A.B of espionage, the immigration officer had relied on an “undated and unattributed” summary of his interview with Canadian authorities, which the court ruled was “unreasonable.”
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Allegation after NSICOP report
According to the report, the allegation of India conducting this operation comes soon after the release of National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) report on foreign interference.
The report had acknowledged that China, Russia and other states were conducting foreign interference activities in Canada and that “elected and public officials across all orders of government” were being targeted.
The report had not mentioned anything about India but made a note about the large Indian population staying in Canada.
The Global News report also states how India has long sought to pressure Ottawa over what it alleges to be continued support within Canada for violent extremists advocating independence for India’s Sikh minority.
The report further states how India campaigned against neighbouring Pakistan over its failure to curb terrorist organisations such as Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, which attacked Mumbai in 2008, killing more than 160.
No doubt that “The Print” is anti-Indian. Go and lick the boots of Pakistan.
Looks like it’s you A.B.
So lastly Canadian court could not find anything substantial. Only the print seems to smell the fish.
Even if they have done something like that, they are meant to do it. As far as it serves India’s interests who has the problem.
I guess indian embassy could & should have done such act to convince their counterparts.
Intelligence agencies did their job but this news report shows the reach of anti-Indian elements in Canada. They will leave no stone unturned to thwart Indian agencies.
Why the alarm? This is common practice.
Think of the numerous compromised Indian media personalities and one particular compromised prominent Indian 1st familiy who speaks on behalf of foreign inimical interests.
The real Q is why is Print parroting the narrative of Khalistani organizations in Canada. Indian government needs to make sure that these moles don’t indulge in spreading of fake news in these trying times.
Its clear that the Global Times “report” is based on its support and sympathy for Khalistani and Pakistani extremists. It is common knowledge that Khalistanis and the Pakistani emigre community is in cahoots in Canada and wields considerable political power and influence. They have worked jointly over the last several decades to undermine India and Indian interests in Canada.
For PM Trudeau’s party, they comprise the core votebank. Several Khalistani activists are in the Trudeau cabinet. Worse still, Mr. Trudeau, on his India tour, brought along a convicted Khalistani terrorist.
What else do you expect from Shekhar Gupta and Co. These anarchist are spreading this news.
Charter of rights!!! If you support something please be in-front. If you appose it be clear as well. Being A spy is Wrong. Its not against any country nor against individual its just wrong as community.
It would be in everyone’s interest to keep an arm’s length distance from the diaspora on issues pertaining to diplomacy and seeking to influence the course of public policy in their countries of adoption. They will unnecessarily show up on the radar screens of the counterintelligence agencies in their countries.
Evidently it was in the interest of Indian agencies and India to do what they did. Diaspora are a part of the arsenal of the deep state for countries around the world. For example, the US & UK have for long used their nationals, of Indian ancestry, to advance their national interests in India. Getting flagged by counterintelligence is a routine affair and is no reason to do what we need to do.