India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday, 7 May categorically rejected accusations by Canada's Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) linking New Delhi to foreign interference in Canadian affairs, calling them "baseless imputations" and urging that such concerns be resolved through established diplomatic mechanisms rather than public or politicised narratives.

India's Official Response

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing the weekly media briefing in New Delhi, delivered a pointed rebuttal. "India's position on this particular issue has been clear and consistent and we have spoken about it on several occasions in the past as well. We categorically reject such baseless imputations. India is a democracy that adheres to international norms and respects the sovereignty of other nations. It is not our policy to interfere in issues of other countries," Jaiswal stated.

He further emphasised that "any concerns of this nature should be addressed through established mechanisms rather than through politicised or public narratives" — a pointed reference to what New Delhi views as Canada's pattern of airing bilateral grievances in public forums rather than diplomatic channels.

What the CSIS Report Said

The CSIS latest public report had flagged that foreign interference in Canadian politics "remains aggressive and sophisticated." The report identified China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan as the main perpetrators, accusing them of employing tactics designed to undermine democratic institutions, influence public discourse, and erode trust in democratic processes. India was separately referenced in the context of foreign interference, prompting Thursday's sharp rebuttal from New Delhi.

Notably, the same CSIS report also acknowledged that Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs) continue to pose a national security threat through their involvement in violent extremist activities — an acknowledgement that India has seized upon to reinforce its own longstanding concerns.

India Turns the Tables on Khalistan Issue

Jaiswal used the briefing to reaffirm India's consistent position that Canadian territory has been used as a safe haven by extremists and separatists. "The CSIS assessment acknowledges the presence of supporters of the Khalistan separatist movement in Canada and notes that Canada-based Khalistani extremist groups continue to pose a national security threat, not only to India but also to Canada. It further highlights that such elements misuse democratic freedoms and institutions to promote extremism and raise funds that are diverted towards violent activities," he said.

India has repeatedly pressed Ottawa to act against anti-India elements operating from its soil. Jaiswal listed specific concerns: "This includes addressing the issue of glorification of violence, threats against diplomats and leaders, vandalism of places of worship and attempts to promote secessionism through so-called referendums."

Broader Context: A Strained Bilateral Relationship

The exchange comes against the backdrop of severely strained India-Canada ties, which deteriorated sharply after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in September 2023 that Indian agents were linked to the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia — a charge New Delhi has firmly denied. Both countries subsequently expelled senior diplomats, and bilateral relations have yet to fully recover. This latest CSIS report and India's swift rejection suggest the diplomatic frost shows little sign of thawing in the near term.