Canadian intelligence agency confirms Khalistani extremists in Canada

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has acknowledged the presence of Khalistani extremists operating from Canadian soil, stating they use the country “as a base for promotion, fundraising, or planning of violence primarily in India.” The findings were detailed in the CSIS Public Report 2024 released on Wednesday, which also emphasized that only a small group of individuals are considered Khalistani extremists.

The report was released shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 summit. The leaders agreed to work toward mending bilateral relations, which had deteriorated following the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023 — a Canadian national designated a terrorist by India. Accusations by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging India’s involvement had led to a major diplomatic standoff.

Clarifying Canada’s stance, the report noted that non-violent advocacy for an independent Khalistan is not treated as extremism under Canadian law. However, it flagged politically motivated violent extremism (PMVE) as a concern, particularly from Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs), a phenomenon present since the mid-1980s.


Highlighting India’s long-standing concerns, the report referenced New Delhi’s view that Canada has historically been a safe haven for anti-India activities, especially in light of the 1985 Air India bombing and related terrorism in India. While no CBKE-related attacks occurred in Canada in 2024, the report noted that “real and perceived Khalistani extremism emerging from Canada continues to drive Indian foreign interference activities in Canada.”

The report also addressed the Canadian government’s and RCMP’s ongoing investigation into Nijjar’s killing, stating that “links between the Government of India and the Nijjar murder signal a significant escalation in India’s repression efforts against the Khalistan movement.”

Additionally, the report referred to the first phase of the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference (PIFI), which began in March 2024. It alleged that both Indian and Pakistani officials engaged in foreign interference, with Pakistan aiming to counter India’s growing global influence. The report concluded by recommending sustained vigilance regarding India’s “continued foreign interference” in Canadian affairs.

(With inputs from TOI)