Experts Skeptical of Canada's Claim India Ended Interference

OTTAWA Experts in national security and political science expressed deep skepticism on Thursday over the Canadian government's assertion that India has ceased its alleged interference in Canadian affairs, as the two nations work to restore diplomatic ties.

Vincent Rigby, a former national security and intelligence adviser to the federal government who now teaches at McGill University, described the government's confidence as straining credibility. In comments to reporters, Rigby emphasized the need for Canada to navigate a delicate path: confronting India on security concerns without ignoring ongoing threats while attempting to rebuild the relationship. "Canada needs to strike a balance between poking India in the eye and pretending national security threats no longer exist," he said.

The doubts stem from a briefing earlier this week where a federal official, speaking on background, stated that Ottawa is confident Indian agents are no longer engaged in extortion or violent threats against individuals in Canada. The official's remarks have drawn widespread criticism from security analysts and observers, who question the abrupt shift in India's behavior.