Khalistanis active on our soil: Canada intel

A report by the Canadian intelligence agency has acknowledged the use of country’s soil by Khalistani extremists as a base for “promotion, fundraising or planning” of violence in India, but also accused New Delhi of foreign interference.

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The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) report on activities in 2024 came out a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi left the country after attending the G7 Summit.

The report said Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs) were seeking to use and support violent means to create an independent nation state — Khalistan — largely within Punjab, India.

“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 said.

While there were no attacks by such elements in Canada in 2024, their ongoing involvement in violent activities continued to pose a “national security threat” to Canada and its interests, the report said.

It went on to accuse India of meddling, saying: “In particular, real and perceived Khalistani extremism emerging from Canada continues to drive Indian foreign interference activities in Canada.”

The report referred to Canada’s public inquiry into foreign interference (PIFI), saying: “Foreign interference violated Canadian sovereignty and led to the expulsion of six Government of India officials.” Ottawa has accused China, India, Russia and Iran of espionage in the past.

The report cited the PIFI findings and said “the extent of the Government of India’s involvement in foreign interference became clearer”.

Indian officials, including their Canada-based proxy agents, engaged in a range of activities that sought to influence Canadian communities and politicians, it alleged.

On Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in June 2023, the report said: “Criminal proceedings are ongoing. In mid-October, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced that evidence pointed to a link between agents of the Government of India and criminal networks to sow violent activity in South Asian communities in Canada.”

“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,” the report alleged.

The CSIS noted that transnational repression played a central role in India’s activity in Canada.