Canada Reaffirms Allegations Linking India to Nijjar Killing; Acknowledges Khalistani Extremist Threat
In a report released on June 18, 2025, Canada has reiterated its allegations of Indian government involvement in the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, while, for the first time, officially acknowledging that Canada-Based Khalistani Extremists (CBKE) continue to plan and finance acts of violence in India.
The annual report by the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS), titled “Forty Years of National Security”, identified India, alongside China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia, as key actors in foreign interference and espionage activities targeting Canada. The report was made public just a day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the G7 Summit outreach in Kananaskis. Both leaders agreed to restore High Commissioners and re-establish several bilateral dialogue mechanisms. The report had been tabled in the Canadian Parliament the previous week.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi declined to comment on the report. While the inclusion of CBKE in the report signals that Canadian authorities are giving more attention to India’s longstanding concerns regarding Khalistani extremism, Ottawa has maintained its accusations over Nijjar’s murder and broader allegations of foreign interference and transnational repression — all of which India has categorically denied.
CSIS stated that links between the Indian government and Nijjar’s murder reflect a “significant escalation” in India’s efforts to suppress the Khalistan movement and demonstrate a “clear intent” to target individuals even in North America. Nijjar was assassinated in June 2023 outside a gurdwara near Toronto. In May 2024, four individuals were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. According to the report, ongoing investigations suggest a connection between Indian government agents and criminal networks attempting to incite violence in South Asian communities in Canada. In response, six Indian diplomats were expelled to disrupt the network.
Back in October 2024, Canada had expelled India’s High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and five other diplomats over alleged involvement in the case. India strongly rejected the charges and retaliated by expelling six Canadian diplomats.
For the first time, the CSIS report includes Canada-based Khalistani extremist groups under the category of Politically Motivated Violent Extremism (PMVE), indicating a shift in Canada’s stance by acknowledging India’s grievances more seriously. The report noted that while some Khalistani supporters participate in lawful protests, a smaller, radicalized faction continues to exploit Canadian soil for promotion, fundraising, and planning of violent activities—primarily targeting India.
While no Khalistani-linked attacks were recorded in Canada in 2024, CSIS maintained that their ongoing operations present a significant national security threat to both Canada and its interests—an evaluation that aligns with India’s concerns.
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