CSIS report includes India in foreign interference list; Khalistan threat highlighted

The CSIS report names India among countries involved in foreign interference and espionage in Canada and identifies Khalistan extremism as a major national security threat. It notes no mention of the Nijjar issue in the report or of last year's escalation in India's repression against Khalistan; the context references ongoing efforts by Canadian PM Mark Carney to repair ties with India, including his visit to India earlier in 2026, and a thaw in relations since the Nijjar crisis.

The 2025 CSIS report tempered its references to India, noting that historically India cultivated covert relationships with Canadian politicians, journalists and members of the Indo-Canadian community to exert influence, and described transnational repression activities such as surveillance and coercive tactics to suppress criticism of the Government of India; it also noted threats from Sikh extremists who use Canada as a base to promote or plan violence primarily in India, including Canada-based Khalistani extremists connected to Canadian citizens who fundraise.

The 2024 CSIS report again named India, along with China, Pakistan, Russia and Iran, as main perpetrators of foreign interference and espionage against Canada.

The article notes that the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023, allegedly by Indian agents, contributed to a deep freeze in Canada–India relations.