In addition to accusing India of covert interference and transnational repression, Canada’s intelligence agency CSIS has officially designated a small group of Khalistani extremists living in Canada as an ongoing national security threat and warned of their involvement in violent activities and fundraising.
The report’s timing with the 40th anniversary of the bombing of Air India Flight 182 highlights the issue’s ongoing significance.
According to a 2025 public assessment by Canada’s Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), a small number of Khalistani radicals living in Canada continue to constitute a national security danger to Canada and its interests overseas.
The report emphasized that these individuals are involved in violent extremist operations, mainly targeting India, and utilizing Canada as a base to plot, fundraise, and propagate violence. It made clear that even though there were no attacks connected to CBKE in 2025, their actions are still a cause for concern.
According to the research, some radicals have strong ties to Canadians and take advantage of local institutions to further their goals. These people collect money from gullible members of the community, which they then use for violent endeavors.
CSIS emphasized that despite its small size, this network has the potential to sustain extremist financing and mobilization, posing concerns on a national and worldwide levelThe report’s timing is noteworthy because Canada commemorated the 40th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist incident in Canadian history, the bombing of Air India Flight 182 in 1985. 329 individuals, the most of them were Canadian nationals, were killed in the incident, which was carried out by suspects connected to Khalistani organizations in Canada.
The long-standing threat posed by extremist networks operating out of Canada was brought to light by the anniversary.
CSIS explained that just a tiny percentage of people are classified as Khalistani extremists, setting them apart from nonviolent supporters. It said that advocating for the establishment of a Khalistan state through nonviolent means is not extremism.
A large number of Canadians engage in peaceful, respectable advocacy, which is acknowledged as legal political engagement. The organization distinguished between non-violent political speech and violent extremism.
.The report expressed worries about foreign meddling in addition to the Khalistani issue. India was charged with conducting covert influence operations and transnational repression in Canada.
CSIS claims that in order to further its goals, India has traditionally developed secret relationships with Canadian politicians, journalists, and Indo-Canadian community members.
India was listed in the study as a state engaged in espionage and meddling in Canada, along with China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan. Nonetheless, Canadian authorities have confirmed that there is currently no proof that directly connects India to acts of violence on Canadian territory.
The paper also emphasized more general geopolitical dynamics, pointing out that foreign meddling in Canadian politics has grown more aggressive. It cautioned that such actions weaken democratic institutions, influence public opinion, and destroy confidence in election procedures.
CSIS emphasized that Canada’s security environment is growing more complex and multipolar, underscoring the need for vigilance against both extremist threats and foreign meddling.
The dual difficulty that Canada faces is highlighted in CSIS’s 2025 report: combating foreign meddling from several states while also handling the ongoing threat of a small but active number of Khalistani radicals. Maintaining democratic liberties while tackling security threats depends on the agency’s ability to distinguish between violent extremism and nonviolent activism.
