CSIS Flags Canada-Based Khalistani Extremists as Threat

Canada's Security Intelligence Service has identified Canada-based Khalistani extremists as a persistent national security threat, according to its 2025 public report tabled in Parliament this week.

The report, the first in years to explicitly use the term "Canada-based Khalistani extremists" or CBKEs, states that a small group of individuals uses Canadian institutions to promote a violent extremist agenda. These actors spread extremist messaging and raise funds from community members, which are then diverted toward violent activities, primarily targeting India. "Some CBKEs are well connected to Canadian citizens who leverage Canadian institutions to promote their violent extremist agenda and collect funds from unsuspecting community members that are then diverted toward violent activities," the report said.

CSIS categorized CBKEs under politically motivated violent extremism, which involves planning, financing and facilitating attacks to establish new political systems. The agency emphasized a clear distinction between such violence and peaceful advocacy for a separate Khalistan state, noting that nonviolent campaigning is not considered extremism under Canadian law and is...