Canada accuses Indian businessman of foreign interference, disinformation

The Srivastava Group: A Canadian Connection to Alleged Indian Interference

In a quiet south Edmonton neighborhood stands a modest split-level home with a brick facade and a spruce tree out front. This unassuming house serves as the Canadian headquarters of the Srivastava Group, a conglomerate run by a New Delhi-based family. The company claims to have offices in Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada, where it operates businesses in media, oil, and gas. However, Canadian national security officials have raised serious concerns about the group’s activities, alleging that it has been involved in more secretive operations, including attempts to influence Canadian politicians and spreading disinformation.

Allegations of Influence and Disinformation

According to public records released to Global News, in 2009, India’s intelligence agencies allegedly tasked Ankit Srivastava, the vice chair of the Srivastava Group, with influencing Canadian politicians. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) reported that Srivastava was directed to identify “random Caucasian politicians” and provide them with financial assistance and propaganda to sway their support on issues benefiting India. By 2015, CSIS accused the group of operating fake websites posing as news outlets, some of which appeared to be Canadian, to push pro-India rhetoric and criticize Pakistan. Immigration officials deemed Srivastava a “serious threat to Canada” and denied him entry, citing concerns that his activities could compromise the integrity of Canadian elections and governance.

A Decade of Denials and Legal Battles

Srivastava has vehemently denied the allegations, arguing that the claims are based on “unreasonable inferences” from unreliable sources. His lawyer, Lorne Waldman, has emphasized that no substantial evidence supports the espionage or disinformation accusations. Despite these denials, Srivastava’s immigration application has faced significant scrutiny. In 2015, Canadian officials interviewed him at the High Commission in New Delhi, where he admitted to meeting frequently with India’s Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). He claimed these interactions were solely in his capacity as a journalist and editor-in-chief of the New Delhi Times, a newspaper owned by his company.

The Srivastava Group’s Global Ambitions and Controversies

The Srivastava Group describes itself as one of India’s fastest-growing conglomerates, with interests in natural resources, clean energy, aerospace, and media. However, its Canadian operations appear modest, with its Edmonton office listed as a residential property owned by Srivastava’s in-laws. The group’s activities have beenlinked to a broader pro-India influence network, according to reports by EU DisinfoLab, a Brussels-based collective that investigates disinformation. The group allegedly used fake news sites and non-profit organizations to discredit India’s rivals, particularly Pakistan, and improve India’s global image.

Immigration Battles and Ongoing Controversies

Srivastava’s immigration case has dragged on for nearly a decade, with two Federal Court rulings in his favor, most recently in January 2025. The court found insufficient evidence to support the government’s claims of espionage or disinformation, sending the case back for further review. Despite these rulings, the immigration department has maintained that Srivastava’s presence in Canada could harm national security and democratic processes. Meanwhile, the Srivastava Group’s Canadian operations have largely gone dormant, with its website offline and its Edmonton office vacant.

Broader Implications for Canada-India Relations

The allegations against the Srivastava Group come amid growing concerns about Indian government interference in Canada. A 2024 report by Canada’s foreign interference commission suggested that Indian agents may have provided illicit financial support to politicians to sway elections. While Srivastava denies any wrongdoing, experts warn that allowing individuals or groups linked to disinformation campaigns to operate in Canada could undermine public trust and democratic institutions. As the case continues to unfold, it highlights the challenges nations face in balancing economic and diplomatic relationships with the need to protect national security and integrity.