Canada sounds alarm on Khalistani extremists, flags security threat

CSIS report warns of a small but active network using Canadian soil for extremist activity. The agency distinguishes between violent extremism and peaceful advocacy for Khalistan.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has identified Canada-based Khalistani extremists as a national security threat in its 2025 public report. The disclosure says the group continues to use Canadian institutions to advance a violent agenda and raise funds for activities abroad.

The report, tabled in Parliament, says the threat comes from a small but active network, not from peaceful political advocacy for Khalistan.

KHALISTAN: AN ISI PROJECT 🇵🇰

Canada flags Khalistani extremist groups as a national security threat.

“Ongoing involvement in violent extremist activities by Canada-based Khalistani extremists continues to pose a national security threat to Canada,” says intelligence agency… pic.twitter.com/Oyp3nELeDZ
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CSIS warns of funding networks

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CSIS said that “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.”

It added that some of these actors are well connected within Canadian society and can leverage institutions to collect money from unsuspecting community members, with those funds later diverted to violent activity, which raises concerns about the potential for increased radicalization and the impact on community safety.

The report also linked the assessment to the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, noting the 40th anniversary of the attack and saying the suspects were members of Canada-based Khalistani extremist groups.

It described the bombing as the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history, with 329 people killed, most of them Canadians.

Canada's main intelligence agency, in its annual report released this weekend, acknowledges that some Khalistan extremists "use Canada as a base to promote, fundraise, or plan violence primarily in India." It said such extremists "pose a national security threat to Canada and to…
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Ottawa distinguishes extremism from political advocacy

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At the same time, the agency drew a distinction between extremism and political expression, saying non-violent advocacy for a separate Khalistan is not considered extremism.

The report said only a small group of people who use Canada as a base to “promote, fundraise, or plan violence primarily in India” fall under the extremist category.

Assessment lands amid ongoing India-Canada diplomatic tensions

The evaluation takes place in the context of tense relations between Canada and India since 2023. Then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged a possible Indian link to the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a charge India rejected.

The latest report also places India among countries listed by CSIS as perpetrators of foreign interference and espionage against Canada, alongside China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan.