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An unexpected site in south Edmonton—a brick facade split-level home—serves as the Canadian base for the Srivastava Group, an Indian conglomerate. This company, operated by a family from New Delhi, claims to have established offices not just in Canada, but also in Belgium and Switzerland, with investments spanning various sectors including newspapers and oil and gas.
However, concerns have emerged regarding the Srivastava Group’s involvement in activities beyond typical business operations. Reports indicate that Canadian national security officials suspect the senior executives of engaging in clandestine projects.
Public records examined by Global News reveal alarming details. In 2009, India’s intelligence services reportedly assigned the vice chair of the Srivastava Group, Ankit Srivastava, the task of swaying Canadian politicians to favor Indian interests. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) noted that this directive included identifying “random Caucasian politicians” and attempting to gain their support on matters crucial to India.
Furthermore, it was alleged that Srivastava was instructed to provide financial assistance and propaganda to influence these politicians, as documented in a CSIS report from 2015.
In a more recent report from 2021, CSIS articulated concerns about the company allegedly operating false media outlets in Canada, which disguised themselves as legitimate news organizations. The objective of these outlets appears to have been promoting pro-India narratives while disparaging Pakistan.
A ‘serious threat to Canada’
Due to potential risks to democratic processes, immigration officials classified Ankit Srivastava as a “serious threat to Canada,” effectively barring him from entering the country. According to a government report, the existence of multiple fake Canadian news websites linked to the Srivastava Group raised alarms about their potential impact on public opinion and electoral integrity.
This situation unfolds amid growing concerns about foreign influence in Canadian politics, with Indian government efforts allegedly involving disinformation campaigns and political interference.
The allegations against Srivastava and his firm have been delineated in extensive documents filed in Federal Court, revealing how Canadian authorities are intensifying their scrutiny of foreign interference, particularly through immigration channels.
While CSIS has refrained from making public comments regarding these issues, Srivastava has consistently proclaimed his innocence. His legal representative has asserted that the inferences made against him stem from unreliable sources.
The Indian Executive and the Intelligence Officers
Ankit Srivastava, 42, originally hails from India and has considerable international experience, having studied in Geneva and married a Canadian who sponsored his immigration. In her application for his residency, she highlighted his aspirations for expanding newspaper operations in Canada.
Before his immigration status was finalized, Srivastava was subjected to security interviews. Reports from CSIS indicated that he acknowledged frequent engagements with India’s intelligence agencies, which allegedly tasked him with covertly influencing Canadian policymakers.
Additionally, Srivastava reportedly claimed he faced pressure to lobby against Canadian funding for factions perceived as terroristic in Pakistan.
Despite admitting to interactions with intelligence officials, he characterized these meetings as part of his role in journalism rather than espionage, arguing that he refused any financial assistance offered by these agencies.
Nonetheless, this did not prevent Canadian officials from denying him permanent residency, citing potential involvement in espionage as grounds for their decision. Following legal challenges, a judge ruled in 2020 that the case warranted a further review.
The ‘Disinformation Campaigns’
The Srivastava Group presents itself as a prominent player in India’s economic landscape, with interests across sectors like healthcare, media, and energy. Yet, its Canadian operations are centered around a modest home in Edmonton, which also serves as the registered office for several companies.
Reports surfaced from EU DisinfoLab linking the group to targeted disinformation initiatives aimed primarily at discrediting nations in conflict with India. These operations purportedly utilize fabricated media channels to bolster India’s image internationally.
The Canadian immigration department raised alarms regarding the group’s involvement in disinformation tactics that could jeopardize Canadian interests and impede electoral processes. It noted the potential for these activities to undermine public trust and fair discourse within Canadian society.
Despite these criticisms, Srivastava staunchly denies any malfeasance, insisting his company has never engaged in the deliberate spread of false information. He argues that discussions regarding Pakistan’s human rights issues do not constitute disinformation.
Following a series of immigration setbacks, an appellate court ruled this January in favor of Srivastava, allowing for another review of his residency application. However, the broader issue of his alleged involvement in disinformation remains unresolved.
Reports suggest the Srivastava Group’s online presence has diminished since disinformation claims became public, with communications to the company going unanswered and properties linked to their operations now appearing vacant.
In recent developments, Srivastava’s name still features prominently in his publications, where he continues to write positively about prominent political figures, reaffirming his connections to ongoing narratives important to India’s political landscape.
Source
globalnews.ca