On Monday, Canada's spy agency warned that India and China will likely attempt interference in the country's upcoming general election, adding to already strained relations with both nations. During a press conference on the April 28 snap election, Vanessa Lloyd, deputy director of operations at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), stated that "hostile state actors" increasingly use artificial intelligence to influence the polls. The election was announced by appointed Prime Minister Mark Carney a day earlier.

"The PRC (People's Republic of China) is highly likely to use AI-enabled tools to attempt to interfere with Canada's democratic process in this current election," she voiced.

Ms Lloyd stated that China is "highly likely" to leverage social media to spread narratives that align with its interests. She also noted that China may specifically target Chinese ethnic, cultural, and religious communities in Canada using "clandestine and deceptive" tactics. "We have also seen that the government of India has the intent and capability to interfere in Canadian communities and democratic processes to assert its geopolitical influence," she further stated.

Both countries, which have previously denied accusations of interference, have yet to respond to the latest allegations. In January, India dismissed claims in a Canadian commission report suggesting foreign interference in Ottawa’s elections. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected these "insinuations" and criticised Canada for meddling in India’s internal affairs.

"We reject the report's insinuations on India and expect that the support system enabling illegal migration will not be further countenanced," according to the statement.

The Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail claimed that New Delhi used proxy agents to offer "clandestine financial support" to candidates from three political parties during a federal election. Meanwhile, Ms Lloyd warned that Russia and Pakistan could attempt to interfere in Canada's general election. She told reporters that Russia has been working to establish "dissemination networks" on social media and news websites to "amplify Kremlin talking points."

"It is possible that Russia will use these online networks to opportunistically conduct foreign information manipulation and interference operations directed at Canadians," according to her. 

She further stated that Islamabad might engage in foreign interference activities against Canada "in line with its strategic aims" to strengthen political, security and economic stability in Pakistan and "to counter India's growing global influence."

Relations between India and Canada have remained strained since former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi in September 2023 of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India strongly rejected the allegation, calling it "absurd." Tensions escalated when India removed six Canadian diplomats and placed its envoy in Ottawa after Canada sought to question Indian officials as “persons of interest” in the Nijjar case.

Meanwhile, Canada’s ties with China have also deteriorated in recent years. This month, Beijing imposed tariffs on over $2.6 billion of Canadian agricultural and food products in retaliation for Ottawa’s earlier levies on Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminium products.