Ottawa– For the first time, Canada’s top intelligence agency has publicly acknowledged that Khalistani extremists are using Canadian territory to promote, fundraise, and plan acts of violence primarily targeting India.
In its latest annual report, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) explicitly stated: “Khalistani extremists continue to use Canada as a base for the promotion, fundraising or planning of violence primarily in India.”
This rare admission has reignited concerns about foreign interference and extremist operations within Canada—particularly as it navigates a fragile diplomatic relationship with India. Although India has long raised alarms over the activities of Khalistani separatists based in Canada, this is the first time Canadian authorities have officially used the term “extremism” in connection with the movement.
The report highlights that Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs) have posed a persistent threat since the mid-1980s, pursuing their objective of establishing an independent Khalistan through politically motivated violent extremism (PMVE). This form of extremism advocates violence to create new political entities or alter existing systems, often through global networks of planning, financing, and execution.
While there were no CBKE-linked attacks in Canada in 2024, CSIS warned that ongoing involvement in violent activity continues to present a serious threat to national security and Canadian interests. The agency operates under the CSIS Act, which defines and investigates threats to Canada’s security.
In a parallel development, both CSIS and the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) have raised concerns about foreign interference from Pakistan. According to a May 2024 report from the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference (PIFI) and NSICOP’s Special Report in June, Pakistan was identified as a state actor attempting to influence Canada’s democratic institutions.
India has consistently asserted that Canada serves as a haven for anti-India activities, with the Khalistan movement being a central concern. That concern dates back to the 1985 Air India bombing, carried out by Canadian-based extremists, and includes a broader history of terrorism linked to the separatist cause.
The new CSIS revelations come as the Canadian government continues investigating the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and vocal pro-Khalistan figure. Four individuals were arrested in May 2024 and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the case.
These disclosures coincide with a high-profile meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada—their first in-person encounter. The meeting marked a cautious step toward repairing diplomatic ties that were severely strained following Nijjar’s killing in British Columbia.
According to official readouts, both leaders agreed to appoint new High Commissioners and resume long-stalled trade negotiations. New Delhi described the discussions as a commitment to a “constructive and balanced partnership grounded in mutual respect for concerns and sensitivities.” (Source: IANS)
