The recently released second and final volume of Canada’s Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference (PIFI) report has provided damning evidence of India’s covert influence operations, political subversion, and systematic transnational repression. The report underscores how India has engaged in state-sponsored interference within Canada, primarily targeting Sikh activists and pro-Khalistan supporters. The findings suggest a broader strategy in which India seeks to undermine democratic institutions, manipulate political discourse, and pressure policymakers in foreign states to align with its geopolitical objectives.
The PIFI report highlights that India’s foreign interference efforts are not sporadic incidents but part of a well-orchestrated strategy driven by both diplomatic and intelligence channels. Canadian intelligence assessments have classified India as a “moderate to high” threat to democratic integrity, a classification that underscores the depth of India’s clandestine operations. A critical aspect of India’s strategy involves diplomatic coercion and intelligence-led suppression of dissent. By targeting Sikh and Kashmiri activists in Canada, Indian operatives aim to dismantle narratives advocating for self-determination. These tactics have been coupled with economic and political pressures designed to marginalize pro-Khalistan voices and deter policymakers from engaging with activists critical of India’s policies.
India’s growing influence operations in Western democracies are not limited to Canada. The PIFI report aligns with similar intelligence assessments in the UK and the US, which highlight how New Delhi has deployed its diplomatic and intelligence networks to suppress dissent across the Indian diaspora. The use of surveillance, intimidation, and coercion against activists abroad represents a significant escalation in India’s foreign policy approach. A key component of this repression is media manipulation, where pro-government narratives are pushed through both traditional and digital platforms to discredit critics. India has also leveraged its economic partnerships to pressure governments into silencing voices that challenge its domestic and international policies. This trend reflects an overarching strategy of leveraging economic statecraft and political lobbying to stifle opposition beyond India’s borders.
The PIFI report explicitly links India’s activities to efforts aimed at manipulating Canada’s electoral process. By infiltrating political circles and exerting diplomatic pressure, Indian operatives have sought to reshape Canada’s domestic and foreign policies. The Modi government’s engagement in electoral subversion aligns with patterns observed in other Western democracies, where India has deployed its influence to steer political discourse in a direction favorable to its strategic interests. India’s interference tactics include systematic attempts to discredit political figures who oppose its agenda, as well as leveraging trade relations to pressure governments into adopting a pro-India stance. This conduct fundamentally violates the principles of democratic sovereignty, raising alarms about the extent to which foreign actors can manipulate democratic institutions.
India’s actions in Canada must be understood within a broader geopolitical context. Similar tactics have been documented in the UK and the US, where India has sought to suppress Sikh, Kashmiri, and other dissident movements. The Indian government has actively lobbied Western policymakers to align with its nationalist Hindutva agenda, while simultaneously deploying intelligence operatives to monitor and suppress critics. A crucial factor in India’s expanding influence operations is its growing economic leverage. By positioning itself as a key trade partner, India has successfully exerted pressure on Western governments to sideline human rights concerns in favor of economic cooperation. This has allowed India to expand its authoritarian reach while maintaining a facade of democratic legitimacy.
The PIFI report presents a stark warning about India’s evolving approach to foreign interference. As the Modi government intensifies its efforts to suppress dissent and manipulate electoral processes abroad, democratic nations must recognize the broader implications of this authoritarian expansionism. If left unchecked, India’s influence operations will continue to erode the integrity of democratic institutions worldwide. A decisive and unified response is required to counter this growing threat. Intelligence-sharing, legislative reforms, economic measures, and diplomatic pushback are necessary to safeguard democratic sovereignty. The issue extends beyond Canada—it is a global challenge that must be addressed collectively to ensure that democratic norms remain resilient against foreign interference. Western democracies must recognize that India’s transnational repression is not merely a bilateral concern but part of a broader strategy aimed at reshaping global political dynamics in favor of an authoritarian nationalist agenda. Addressing this challenge requires proactive engagement, strategic deterrence, and unwavering commitment to the principles of democracy, transparency, and political sovereignty.