The Canadian government’s recent accusations against India regarding foreign interference have stirred controversy, with some viewing it as a convenient distraction from domestic political troubles. On Monday, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats amid allegations of violence and public security threats linked to Indian agents, but the timing has raised questions. Critics, including columnist Tasha Kheiriddin, argue that these revelations divert attention from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s internal party revolt and the ongoing Hogue Commission inquiry into Chinese interference.
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, in particular, has faced scrutiny after admitting that his office delayed action on a warrant related to alleged Chinese influence involving Ontario Liberal MPP Michael Chan. Just days after this revelation, India became the focal point of foreign interference concerns, shifting the spotlight away from the Trudeau government’s handling of the China file.
While there’s no denying the seriousness of foreign interference, critics claim the exposure of India’s actions has come at a politically convenient time, raising suspicions about the motivations behind the government’s narrative. As geopolitical tensions between India and China intensify, this situation also provides China an opportunity to weaken India’s standing in the Indo-Pacific region. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh find themselves drawn into the debate, each with complex ties to diaspora politics and the ongoing Khalistani movement.
Kheiriddin warns that while foreign interference must be addressed, the government’s actions shouldn’t serve as a shield to avoid accountability for its own missteps.