Sydney, Australia: The Sikh Federation Australia has called on Australian authorities to be vigilant against potential foreign interference in the countrys democratic processes, highlighting recent evidence from Canada that suggests India’s involvement in influencing elections and policies. The Federation raised concerns about similar activities in Australia, urging the government to take proactive steps to protect the integrity of the electoral system.
Full Statement issued by the Sikh Federation Australia on 5 January 2025 reads, in verbatim, as follows:
The Sikh Federation Australia calls on Australian authorities to remain vigilant against potential foreign interference in our democratic processes, particularly in light of evidence emerging from Canada.
Recent hearings by Canada’s Foreign Interference Commission have presented credible evidence indicating that India has engaged in a variety of activities to clandestinely influence Canadian elections and policy. India’s activities in Canada include the use of proxies to funnel illicit funding to different electoral campaigns, manipulating information ecosystems through disinformation, and coercing diaspora communities to support government objectives. These revelations raise serious concerns about the integrity of electoral processes in democratic nations, including Australia.
Here in Australia, we have also observed incidents that require similar degrees of scrutiny. During the last federal elections, individuals linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an organisation with close ties to the Indian government, organised fundraising dinners and other activities. Such actions raise questions about the potential influence of external entities and illicit funding on Australian political campaigns.
As Australia prepares for upcoming elections, it is crucial that our agencies prioritise the prevention of any foreign interference. Protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of Australian citizens must remain a top priority. The interference of any foreign state in Australia’s democratic system undermines public trust and must not be tolerated for any reason. All political parties must ensure thorough background checks for all candidates with potential ties to foreign governments or proxy groups, as well as transparent mechanisms to ensure that illicit funding is not used by foreign states to influence outcomes.
We further urge the Australian Government and intelligence agencies to:
- Monitor closely for any signs of foreign interference in political campaigns and elections.
- Investigate activities by individuals or groups with known ties to foreign governments or organisations.
- Strengthen measures to counteract foreign influence at all levels of government.
- Ensure transparency in addressing any identified attempts at interference to maintain public confidence.
The electoral process depends on fairness and independence. It is the responsibility of Australian government to uphold these principles and protect its citizens from any undue influence or coercion.
The Sikh Federation Australia remains firmly committed to combating foreign interference at all levels of government by ensuring transparency and accountability for all those engaging in clandestine foreign interference or transnational repression.
