Canada intel labels Khalistanis as security threat, links them to India violence

The assessment, published in the Canadian Security Intelligence Service's 2025 public report, lays out concerns over fundraising, influence networks and links to extremist activity tied primarily to India.

In Short

• Canada classifies Khalistani extremists as national security threat
• CSIS says Khalistani extremists using Canada to fund, promote violence in India
• Lists India among countries accused of foreign interference, alongside China, Pak

Canada’s top intelligence agency has officially classified Khalistani extremists as a national security threat, warning that a small but active network continues to use the country as a base to fund and support violence abroad. The assessment, published in the Canadian Security Intelligence Service’s 2025 public report, lays out concerns over fundraising, influence networks and links to extremist activity tied primarily to India.

"Ongoing involvement in violent extremist activities by CBKEs (Canada-based Khalistani extremists) continues to pose a national security threat to Canada and to Canadian interests," the report said. It added that some individuals are deeply integrated within Canadian society and use established systems to advance their agenda.

"Some CBKEs are well connected to Canadian citizens who leverage Canadian institutions to promote their violent extremist agenda and collect funds from unsuspecting community members that are then diverted toward violent activities," the report noted.

CANADA DEFINES LIMITS OF POLITICAL ACTIVITY

The agency clarified that advocacy for a separate Khalistan is still lawful in Canada, drawing a red line between peaceful political activity and violent extremism. "Only a small group of individuals who use Canada as a base to promote, fundraise, or plan violence primarily in India are considered Khalistani extremists," it said.

The report also reflects on the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182 bombing, tying it to extremist networks. "This past year marked the 40th anniversary of the bombing of Air India Flight 182, whose suspects were members of CBKE groups," the report said.

"It remains to this day the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history, with 329 people killed, most of them Canadians," the report added.

INDIA NAMED IN FOREIGN INTERFERENCE LIST

In a separate section, the report lists India among countries accused of foreign interference, alongside China, Russia, Iran and Pakistan. "In 2025, the main perpetrators of foreign interference and espionage against Canada remained the People’s Republic of China (PRC), India, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Pakistan," the report said.

It further alleged that India has historically built covert ties within Canada to advance its interests. "Historically, India has cultivated covert relationships with Canadian politicians, journalists, and members of the Indo-Canadian community, to exert its influence and advance its interests," it said.

The findings arrive at a delicate moment for ties between Canada and India. Bilateral relations had sharply deteriorated in 2023 after then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged a possible Indian link to the killing of separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar -- a claim New Delhi rejected.

Since then, both countries have been working to stabilise relations after a prolonged diplomatic standoff. India and Canada have restored diplomatic channels, resumed high-level visits and initiated talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Cooperation has also expanded in law enforcement coordination and trade.

India’s Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal is set to head India’s largest-ever business delegation to Canada next month. Canada continues to rank among India’s top investors, while Ottawa is increasingly looking towards India as a major export destination amid ongoing tenios with the Donald Trump administration.

- Ends
With inputs from PTI