10 hours ago
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.
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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.'
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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.
