Canadian Intelligence Confirms Khalistani Extremists Operating on Its Soil
In a landmark revelation that underscores long-standing Indian concerns, Canada’s top intelligence agency—the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)—has officially acknowledged the continued presence and activity of Khalistani extremists within its borders. This marks the first public disclosure of such magnitude by Canadian authorities, where the term “extremism” has been explicitly used in relation to Khalistani activities.
According to CSIS’s latest annual report, “Khalistani extremists continue to use Canada as a base for the promotion, fundraising or planning of violence primarily in India.” This statement reaffirms what New Delhi has been asserting for years: that anti-India elements have found a safe operating ground in Canada. While Indian authorities have persistently flagged this issue in diplomatic discussions, previous Canadian governments had either denied or downplayed the threat posed by Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs).
The acknowledgment has reignited international attention toward the diplomatic sensitivities between India and Canada. The disclosure comes at a time when both nations are attempting to mend a diplomatic relationship that severely deteriorated after the 2023 killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen. That incident led to tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats and freezing of trade negotiations. India has repeatedly accused Canada of harboring elements hostile to Indian sovereignty, often citing the 1985 Air India bombing and other acts of terrorism as evidence of long-standing threats.
The CSIS report further explains that since the mid-1980s, politically motivated violent extremism (PMVE) in Canada has manifested primarily through the actions of CBKEs. These actors, driven by the goal of creating an independent Sikh homeland—Khalistan—within the Indian state of Punjab, have been involved in planning, financing, and facilitating attacks from Canadian soil. While no CBKE-related attacks occurred in Canada in 2024, the agency stressed that the threat remains “active and ongoing,” and continues to pose risks to both Canadian national security and India’s internal stability.
This is not an isolated finding. The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) and the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference (PIFI) have also released reports implicating Pakistan in covert operations aimed at influencing Canada’s democratic institutions. The NSICOP’s special report from June 2024 identified Pakistan as a state actor engaged in foreign interference alongside others. The dual presence of Khalistani and Pakistani operatives highlights the complex web of foreign influence that Canada is currently grappling with.
It’s worth noting that the CSIS operates under a mandate outlined in the CSIS Act, which defines threats to national security to include terrorism, foreign interference, and activities that pose dangers to the democratic and political systems of Canada. The classification of Khalistani movements under this definition now gives Canadian authorities a firmer legal and operational footing to act.
In a broader geopolitical context, this disclosure came just days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the G7 Summit in Canada. It was the first in-person interaction between the two leaders and marked a possible thaw in bilateral relations. The two leaders discussed resuming trade talks and agreed to appoint new High Commissioners, signaling a cautious re-engagement based on mutual respect and shared security concerns.
The timing of the CSIS report may not be coincidental. It sends a clear message to both domestic and international observers that Canada is beginning to take seriously the threat of politically motivated violence within its borders. It also lends credibility to India’s long-held stance that Canada must do more to curb extremist activities that have cross-border implications.
The recent arrests in connection with Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder add another layer to the evolving narrative. In May 2024, Canadian law enforcement charged four individuals with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in relation to Nijjar’s killing. The ongoing investigation and these arrests point to the depth and seriousness with which Canadian authorities are beginning to treat such threats.
However, the path ahead is not without challenges. For Canada, the balancing act lies in maintaining its commitment to democratic freedoms, such as the right to political expression and protest, while cracking down on activities that cross into violent extremism. For India, the CSIS acknowledgment opens new diplomatic avenues to push for more concrete action and international support against Khalistani separatism.
The global community will be watching closely to see how Canada follows up this acknowledgment with policy and enforcement. The battle against extremism requires not just intelligence and arrests but also policy changes, diplomatic coordination, and public accountability. With this report, Canada has taken a long-awaited first step—how it proceeds from here will shape both its internal security narrative and its international partnerships, particularly with India.