Allegations tied to foreign interference concerns; Arya cites advocacy for Hindu Canadians as reason for expulsion
Chandra Arya, long-serving Member of Parliament for Nepean, has been officially barred from seeking re-election under the Liberal Party banner, sources confirm, following a controversial visit to India last year during heightened diplomatic tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi.
According to multiple sources with high-level national security clearance, Arya’s disqualification stems from his August 2024 trip to India, where he reportedly met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The decision was made by the Liberal Party, based on alleged foreign-interference concerns and Arya’s failure to consult or inform Global Affairs Canada (GAC) about his meetings.
The move prevents Arya from contesting the upcoming federal election in Nepean, a riding he has represented since 2015.
In a public statement on social media Wednesday morning, Arya defended his actions and emphasized that he has never been required to seek approval for such international engagements in the past.
“At no point did former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or any cabinet minister raise concerns about my meetings or public statements,” Arya wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“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.”
The Globe and Mail first broke the story, which was later verified by CTV News.
The Liberal leadership race in Nepean now becomes more competitive, with Prime Minister Mark Carney confirming that he will run for the seat in this year’s election.
Spotlight on Foreign Interference and National Security
Arya’s ousting comes amid renewed concerns over foreign interference in Canadian politics, with CSIS deputy director Vanessa Lloyd warning earlier this week that countries including China, India, Russia, and Pakistan could attempt to disrupt the current federal election campaign.
In a separate but related development, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre responded to a Globe and Mail report that India had allegedly interfered in the 2022 Conservative leadership race that he ultimately won.
“I won the leadership fair and square,” Poilievre stated, while calling the report part of a broader Liberal distraction campaign.
Poilievre further accused Mark Carney of using his former government role to leverage financial deals with Brookfield Asset Management and conducting “secret talks” with Chinese banking officials. A Liberal campaign spokesperson dismissed the claims as a “desperate attempt” to deflect from Poilievre’s refusal to obtain national security clearance.
The evolving controversy places foreign influence and national security squarely at the forefront of the 2025 federal campaign.