Canada declares Khalistan extremists as ‘national security threat’

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) released its 2025 Public Report to Parliament, formally designating activities of Canada-based Khalistan ex...

What Happened

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) released its 2025 Public Report to Parliament, formally designating activities of Canada-based Khalistan extremist (CBKE) groups as a national security threat to Canada and Canadian interests.
The report was released in the year marking the 40th anniversary of the bombing of Air India Flight 182 in 1985 — described as the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history — whose suspects were members of CBKE groups.
CSIS identified a "small group" of Sikh extremists using Canada as a base to promote, fundraise, and plan violence primarily directed at India.
The agency noted that no CBKE-related attacks occurred within Canada during 2025, but assessed that their transnational networks remain active.
India was simultaneously listed among the "main perpetrators of foreign interference and espionage against Canada," alongside China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan — for activities including cultivating covert relationships with Canadian politicians, journalists, and members of the Indo-Canadian community.

Static Topic Bridges

Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)

CSIS is Canada's primary civilian intelligence agency, established under the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act of 1984. It is responsible for investigating threats to national security including espionage, foreign interference, terrorism, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. CSIS reports to the Minister of Public Safety and tables an annual public report to Parliament.

CSIS was established after the McDonald Commission (1977–1981) recommended separating intelligence functions from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
The agency operates under strict oversight mechanisms including the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) and the Intelligence Commissioner.
CSIS's annual Public Report is an unclassified summary designed to inform the public and Parliament about broad threat trends without compromising sources or methods.

Connection to this news: The 2025 Public Report formally naming CBKE activities as a national security threat carries legal and policy weight, as it signals the level of threat Canada's government formally acknowledges to Parliament.

Khalistan Movement and Canada-Based Khalistan Extremism (CBKE)

The Khalistan movement seeks a separate Sikh homeland — "Khalistan" — carved out of the Punjab region, primarily from Indian territory. While the movement has negligible support within India, a segment of the Sikh diaspora in countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia has kept it alive politically and, in some cases, through violent extremism.

CSIS distinguishes between lawful political advocacy for a separate Sikh state (which is legal in Canada) and illegal violent extremist activities — CBKE groups fall in the latter category.
CBKE groups were responsible for the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, which killed 329 people (mostly Canadian citizens), making it Canada's deadliest terrorist act and the world's deadliest aviation terrorist attack until 9/11.
The report describes some Canada-based Khalistani extremists as "well connected to Canadian citizens who leverage Canadian institutions to promote their violent extremist agenda and collect funds from unsuspecting community members."
The RCMP Commissioner stated in 2026 that current investigations do not directly connect India to violent crimes on Canadian soil.

Connection to this news: The CSIS report's explicit national-security designation of CBKE marks an escalation in Canada's official framing of the issue — moving from treating it as a law enforcement matter to a national security concern, which has direct implications for India-Canada relations.

Foreign Interference and Transnational Repression

Foreign interference refers to covert, deceptive, or threatening activities by foreign state actors to influence a country's politics, institutions, or diaspora communities. Transnational repression specifically describes efforts by governments to monitor, intimidate, or coerce their nationals or diaspora members living abroad.

The CSIS 2025 report identifies the five main perpetrators of foreign interference against Canada as China, India, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan.
India is alleged to have cultivated relationships with Canadian politicians, journalists, and community leaders, and to have engaged in surveillance and coercive tactics against the Indo-Canadian diaspora.
CSIS notes these activities represent a threat not only to Canada's democratic institutions but also to the safety of diaspora communities.
Foreign interference emerged as a central national security concern in Canada following the 2019 and 2021 federal elections and led to the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference (Hogue Commission).

Connection to this news: The dual listing of India — both as a target of extremist violence and as a perpetrator of foreign interference — illustrates the complexity of India-Canada relations and how diaspora dynamics complicate bilateral ties.

Key Facts & Data

Air India Flight 182 bombing: June 23, 1985; 329 people killed; suspects from CBKE groups
2025 marked the 40th anniversary of the Air India bombing
CSIS established: 1984, under the CSIS Act
Five countries listed as main perpetrators of foreign interference in Canada (2025): China, India, Russia, Iran, Pakistan
No CBKE-related attacks within Canada in 2025
RCMP Commissioner's statement: current investigations do not link India to violent crimes on Canadian soil
Canada is home to one of the world's largest Sikh diasporas, estimated at over 770,000 people (2021 Census)