Sikh separatists engaging in violent extremism a ‘threat to national security'—Canada intel report
'Politically motivated violent extremism encourages the use of violence to establish new political systems or new structures or norms within existing systems. PMVE actors engage in the planning, financing and facilitating of attacks, globally, in order to establish new political systems or entities,' reads the Canada Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Public Report 2024.
New Delhi: The primary politically motivated violent extremism (PMVE) threat has manifested in Canada since the mid-1980s through Canada-based Sikh separatists, 'seeking to use and support violent means to create an independent nation state called Khalistan, largely within Punjab, India', the annual report of the Canadian intelligence service said Wednesday.
The report comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on the margins of the G7 summit in Alberta Tuesday. The two leaders agreed for the 'early return of High Commissioners' to New Delhi and Ottawa, as a step towards normalising ties.
The diplomatic chill with Canada had begun in September 2023 after then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being linked to the killing of Indian-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Wednesday marked the second anniversary of the Nijjar's killing outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.
India called the accusations 'absurd', highlighting that till date no evidence has been shared with New Delhi linking its officials to the killing. Four Indians, with no connections to the government unveiled so far, have been arrested and charged with the killing.
For India, the space given to Sikh separatists in Canada and organised crime has been a major irritant in ties. For example, the 2023 public report, while making a mention of the killing of Nijjar, made no mention of Sikh separatists indulging in PMVE activities, even as Indian diplomats faced threats in the country.
However, the 2024 report makes it clear that 'some Canadians participate in legitimate and peaceful campaigning to support the Khalistan movement'.
'Non-violent advocacy for an independent state of Khalistan is not considered extremism. Only a small group of individuals are considered Khalistani extremists because they continue to use Canada as a base for the promotion, fundraising or planning of violence primarily in India,' it adds.
'While there were no CBKE-related attacks in Canada in 2024, ongoing involvement in violent activities by CBKEs (Canada-based Khalistani Extremists) continues to pose a national security threat to Canada and Canadian interests. In particular, real and perceived Khalistani extremism emerging from Canada continues to drive Indian foreign interference activities in Canada,' the report says.
Also Read: India-Canada resume diplomatic ties months after Nijjar row, envoys set to return to Ottawa, New Delhi
India—main perpetrator of espionage in Canada
The report highlights India as one of the main perpetrators of espionage activities in Canada, along with China, Russia and Iran. India allegedly attempts to 'influence Canadian communities and politicians', and when 'deceptive, clandestine or threatening' are 'deemed to be' foreign interference.
'With the re-election of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's political course will be a continuation of Hindu-nationalist policy agenda that has been implemented since Prime Minister Modi was first elected in 2014,' says the report. 'Links between the Government of India and the Nijjar murder signal a significant escalation in India's repression efforts against the Khalistan movement and a clear intent to target individuals in North America.'
However, in the case of Nijjar, Ottawa has yet to provide any substantial evidence to New Delhi regarding the alleged links. Modi and Carney have agreed to resume law enforcement cooperation between the two governments in an effort to carve out the irritants in ties from the larger overall relationship.
The breakdown in ties had led to Canada requesting India to waive diplomatic immunity for five of its diplomats, including the then High Commissioner in Ottawa—a move which had led to New Delhi withdrawing its diplomats and expelling five Canadian diplomats in October 2024, including its Acting High Commissioner. India has in the past denied that it interferes in Canadian domestic affairs.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
Also Read: 'Never discussed trade or mediation over Pakistan issue during Op Sindoor'—Modi to Trump
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