Canada intel: pro-Khalistan extremist using our soil as base to target India

A Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) report released Wednesday acknowledged the presence of Khalistani extremists in Canada who use the country "as a base for promotion, fundraising, or planning of violence primarily in India".

It underlined that "only a small group of individuals are seen as Khalistani extremists".The report was released shortly after PM Narendra Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney met on the sidelines of G7 summit. The two resolved to improve ties between the two nations, which had soured in the aftermath of killing of separatist and Canadian national Hardeep Singh Nijjar (designated a terrorist by India) in Canada two years ago. Former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau blaming India had triggered a diplomatic standoff.The report clarified that non-violent advocacy for an independent state of Khalistan is not considered extremism in Canada. Referring to politically motivated violent extremism (PMVE), the "CSIS Public Report 2024 - Forty Years of National Security" stated PMVE threat in Canada has manifested primarily through Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs) since mid-1980s.The report pointed out that there is a long history of India arguing that Canada is a haven for "anti-India" activity, with the separatist Khalistan movement being a particular focus of India's concern, which is rooted in the aftermath of 1985 Air India bombing and subsequent terrorist activity in India.

"While there were no CBKE-related attacks in Canada in 2024... real and perceived Khalistani extremism emerging from Canada continues to drive Indian foreign interference activities in Canada," it stated.Detailing Canadian govt and RCMP investigations and "evidence" in the 2023 killing of Nijjar, the report stated "links between govt of India and Nijjar murder signal a significant escalation in India's repression efforts against the Khalistan movement..."Referring to the first phase of hearings in March 2024 in the public inquiry into foreign interference (PIFI) in federal electoral processes and democratic institutions, the report indicated that apart from Indian officials, Pakistan also conducted foreign interference against Canada to "counter India's growing global influence". The report also recommended vigilance regarding India's "continued foreign interference" in Canada.