Public Safety Minister says more safeguards needed against alleged foreign interference linked to India

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says Canada still has work ahead to ensure individuals acting on behalf of India are not intimidating or coercing people on Canadian soil.

Speaking to reporters during Mark Carney’s visit to India, Anandasangaree said there remain unresolved concerns related to the safety and security of Canadians. His comments follow questions about whether agents connected to the Indian government are currently involved in extortion or threats of violence in Canada.

A senior federal official, speaking on background during the same briefing, said Ottawa believes such activity is not ongoing. The official cited continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries and suggested that high level talks would not be proceeding if Canada believed India was actively interfering in its democratic institutions.

However, Anandasangaree stopped short of fully endorsing that assessment, emphasizing that safeguarding Canadians remains a priority and that discussions with Indian counterparts are continuing. He noted that ensuring community safety and preventing foreign interference are ongoing responsibilities for federal agencies.

Canada’s concerns about foreign interference have been the subject of parliamentary study and national security reviews in recent years. The issue has had implications for diplomatic relations and diaspora communities across the country, including in British Columbia and Alberta, where large South Asian communities have called for transparency and protection from intimidation.