‘Small group’ of Khalistanis in Canada financially supports violence in India

(MENAFN) The Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) has reported that a small faction of Khalistani separatists in Canada continues to use the country as a base to finance political violence in India. Khalistanis, seeking to create an ethno-religious state from Punjab in India, had their peak support in India during the 1980s but now have limited backing within the country. However, some members of the Sikh diaspora in Canada are trying to revive the movement.

India and Canada differ on the level of threat posed by Khalistani activists. According to the CSIS report, many Canadians engage in peaceful advocacy for Khalistan, which is not regarded as extremist activity. Only a small number of individuals are labeled Khalistani extremists, as they allegedly use Canada to promote, fundraise, or plan violent acts targeting India.

The report also reiterated claims of Indian government involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. CSIS identified India, along with Russia, China, Pakistan, and Iran, as primary sources of foreign interference and espionage against Canada.

This intelligence report was presented to the Canadian Parliament just before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, where both agreed to strengthen diplomatic relations. However, Canada-India ties have been strained since the 2023 G20 summit in New Delhi, where concerns about anti-India activities in Canada were raised but only informally discussed.

Relations hit a low point in October 2024 after Canada accused Indian diplomats of targeting Sikh activists on Canadian soil, resulting in reciprocal expulsions of diplomats. The CSIS report highlighted that Canadian investigators uncovered evidence linking Indian government agents and criminal groups to instigating violence within South Asian communities in Canada.

The report further stated that connections between the Indian government and the murder of Nijjar represent a sharp escalation in India’s efforts to suppress the Khalistan movement, including targeting individuals in North America.

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