The concept of destabilizing non-white powers has deep roots, stretching back
to the Cold War era.
The India-Canada-US Geopolitical Dispute: A Case in Point
The recent tensions between India, Canada, and the United States over alleged
extraterritorial killings have stirred up varied perspectives. Some argue that
India lacks the capability for clandestine operations like those associated
with Israel’s Mossad, while others outright deny India’s involvement in such
assassinations. Another narrative suggests that Western powers, specifically
the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, are using these accusations to hinder
India’s emergence as a non-white, non-Anglo-Saxon global power. This theory
posits that, despite convergences in strategic, political, and economic
interests, Western intelligence continues to conspire against India.
The Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance and its Operations
The Five Eyes—comprising the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—form a
unique intelligence-sharing network that has dominated Western intelligence
circles. Many speculate that Canada’s accusations against India were based on
intelligence from this alliance, given the Five Eyes' covert nature. The Five
Eyes even have a history of surveillance on each other, bypassing domestic laws
through shared intelligence to avoid direct legal violations.
A Shifting Focus in International Espionage
Some argue that the Five Eyes alliance is fixated on preventing India’s rise,
as seen in their alignment with Canada during the recent controversy. India’s
approach to these accusations has been diplomatic, demonstrated by cooperation
with the US on the matter of Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. However,
Canada’s approach under Prime Minister Trudeau has led to a diplomatic freeze
between the two nations. Meanwhile, India continues to build robust ties with
the US, UK, and Australia, engaging with them in strategic dialogues despite
occasional policy differences.
Is India an Ally or Adversary in Five Eyes Strategy?
The notion of the Five Eyes as a tool against India may seem exaggerated.
Declassified reports from the Trump era reveal that expanding intelligence
cooperation to include Japan, India, and South Korea was proposed to
counterbalance China. Although full membership for India in Five Eyes was not
pursued, a “Five Eyes Plus” format has been advocated for strategic reasons.
During the Cold War, the alliance focused on the Soviet
Union, but as US interests shifted towards the Indo-Pacific, China has become a
primary target of Five Eyes intelligence operations. This aligns with India’s
own concerns over Chinese activities, particularly along the Line of Actual
Control (LAC), where India faces direct challenges.
The Depth of Soviet Intelligence in India
Among foreign intelligence operations in India, Soviet infiltration was
particularly extensive. KGB informants and undercover agents operated within
Indian political, academic, and defense sectors. The Mitrokhin Archive, a
collection of files by former KGB officer Vasiliy Mitrokhin, details the extent
of Soviet influence in India, with covert funding provided to prominent
politicians and parties. Former Indian Intelligence Bureau director Maloy
Krishna Dhar corroborated these claims, revealing KGB penetration into India’s
defense sector and political landscape.
This heavy reliance on Soviet support has only recently been
balanced as India diversifies its defense partnerships, particularly through
foreign direct investment (FDI) and private sector involvement in defense, as
promoted by the Modi administration.
A Multi-Aligned India in a New Global Order
Today, India’s approach is increasingly multi-aligned. While maintaining
historical ties with Russia, India’s most significant strategic alliances now
include the US and France. The colonial legacy of anti-Westernism is giving way
to pragmatism, as India seeks alignment with global powers on issues of mutual
concern, particularly in countering China’s growing influence in the
Indo-Pacific.
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