‘Khalistani extremists using Canada as base to promote violence in India’: Canadian intel report confirms India’s concerns; what it means

Canada’s own intelligence security has confirmed what New Delhi has long maintained — Canada has become a safe haven for anti-India elements.Canada’s top intelligence agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), has for the first time officially confirmed that Khalistani extremists are using Canadian soil as a base to promote, fundraise, and plan violent activities primarily targeting India. The report categorically states: “Khalistani extremists continue to use Canada as a base for the promotion, fundraising or planning of violence primarily in India.”

‘Using Canada as base’

This revelation, disclosed in CSIS’s 2024 annual report, validates long-standing concerns raised by India about the presence and activities of pro-Khalistan groups operating from Canada.“Since the mid-1980s, the politically motivated violent extremism (PMVE) threat in Canada has manifested primarily through Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs) seeking to use and support violent means to create an independent nation state called Khalistan, largely within Punjab, India”.The CSIS report describes a small faction of Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs) who continue to engage in violent means to advance their cause. “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. In particular, real and perceived Khalistani extremism emerging from Canada continues to drive Indian foreign interference activities in Canada,” the report reads.While the report distinguishes these extremists from those engaged in peaceful advocacy, it highlights that these violent elements use Canada as a safe haven to promote and plan attacks targeting India.This acknowledgment by Canadian intelligence comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa, particularly following the 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist, in British Columbia. Canadian authorities have linked the killing to Indian government interference, which India vehemently denies, calling the allegations “absurd” and accusing Canada of harbouring anti-India elements. The CSIS report also points to Indian government efforts to suppress the Khalistan movement through foreign interference activities in Canada, including targeting individuals in North America.

Right after PM Modi’s visit

The revelations coincided with a recent meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and PM Narendra Modi at the G7 Summit in Alberta. Both leaders agreed to restore diplomatic ties by appointing new high commissioners and resuming trade negotiations, signaling a desire to stabilise relations despite underlying security concerns. Carney defended his invitation to PM Modi amid criticism from Sikh advocates and some Canadian MPs, emphasiding India’s global economic significance and the importance of constructive dialogue.The CSIS report also highlights the broader national security threat posed by politically motivated violent extremism in Canada, with Khalistani extremism being the primary manifestation. Although no Khalistani extremist attacks occurred on Canadian soil in 2024, the ongoing involvement of these groups in violent activities abroad remains a concern for Canadian security agencies.Read: India, Canada agree to reappoint high commissioners; PM Modi meets Mark Carney