Canadian MP Chandra Arya Barred From Running Under Trudeau's Party Banner Over Alleged India Ties: Report
Both the Canadian government and Liberal Party have not provided specific reasons for blocking Arya from the leadership race or his re-election bid
Canada’s Liberal Party has revoked Indian-origin MP Chandra Arya’s bid to run for the party leadership and his nomination for re-election in his Ottawa Nepean constituency.
The decision comes amid allegations of his alleged ties to the Indian government, including his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a trip to India last year.
related stories
According to a report by The Globe and Mail, citing sources with top-secret clearance, Arya had not informed the Canadian government about his trip to India, despite the tense state of bilateral relations between Canada and India.
However, both the Canadian government and the Liberal Party have not provided specific reasons for blocking Arya from the leadership race or his re-election bid, the report added.
The sources further revealed that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) had informed the government about Arya’s alleged close ties to the Indian government, including its High Commission in Ottawa. Party officials with security clearances also raised concerns about Arya after receiving a general briefing on foreign interference.
Despite these concerns, the decision to remove Arya as a candidate for the leadership and Nepean nomination was made solely by the Liberal Party, without direct advice from CSIS, the sources added.
Another source told the publication that party officials, responsible for monitoring foreign interference, had found troubling inconsistencies in the information Arya had provided in a confidential questionnaire.
Chandra Arya Denies Allegations
The Indian-origin MP, however, has strongly denied any allegations of influence from India, stating that as an MP, he has regularly engaged with diplomats and heads of government, both in Canada and internationally.
“Not once have I sought – nor been required to seek – permission from the government to do so," Arya stated, according to the report.
Arya, who is of the Hindu faith, also believes that his removal from the Liberal Party’s leadership race and Nepean nomination is due to his outspoken stance against the Khalistani movement in Canada, which advocates for a separate Sikh state in Punjab. He has been vocal in his opposition to Khalistani extremism, which he argues has led to tensions within Canada’s South Asian community.
“The sole point of contention with the Liberal Party has been my outspoken advocacy on issues important to Hindu Canadians and my firm stance against Khalistani extremism," he noted.
Arya, who visited New Delhi on August 12 last year, had met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Canadian MP had also shared pictures of himself with Modi on X.
“We discussed Canada India relations. India is a significant and growing market for Canada’s exports and investments, and it serves as a key source for fulfilling our critical talent needs," the Canadian MP had written in his post.
(With inputs from agencies)
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI)- Location :
- First Published: