Canada’s intelligence service has identified India as the second-most pervasive state actor involved in foreign interference in Canada, according to a new assessment that underscores continuing security concerns ahead of a possible visit by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand to India.
The assessment emerges as Ottawa and New Delhi seek to improve diplomatic relations following years of tensions over allegations of Indian involvement in activities targeting Sikh separatists in Canada and elsewhere.
According to the assessment, Indian government officials, diplomats and individuals allegedly linked to Indian intelligence have been involved in efforts to influence political and social affairs in Canada. CSIS has warned that the Indian government or networks linked to it may seek to influence different levels of government, political processes, community organizations and other institutions in Canada.
The intelligence assessment also highlights concerns over what Canadian authorities describe as transnational repression — efforts by governments or their proxies to intimidate, monitor, threaten or otherwise pressure dissidents, activists and critics living abroad. Such activities can include surveillance, threats, pressure on family members, restrictions involving travel or visas, information campaigns and other coercive measures, according to CSIS.
The agency has said such activities can be aimed at silencing critics of foreign governments and creating fear within targeted communities. The assessment specifically discusses supporters of the Khalistan movement in Canada and the Indian government’s response to the movement. CSIS has also emphasized that peaceful and nonviolent support for the creation of an independent Khalistan is not, by itself, considered extremism. Peaceful political expression and lawful advocacy remain protected in Canada.
Relations between Canada and India deteriorated sharply after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in 2023 that Canadian intelligence had identified potential links between agents of the Indian government and the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. India has denied the allegations and accused Canada of providing space to individuals associated with the Khalistan movement.
The dispute triggered a diplomatic crisis between the two countries, including the expulsion of diplomats and a sharp deterioration in bilateral relations. Canadian authorities have since continued to investigate alleged criminal activities linked to the Indian government. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or RCMP, has said investigations into alleged links between the Indian government and criminal activity remain ongoing, while declining to provide operational details.
Concerns about alleged Indian transnational repression have also extended beyond Canada. In the United States, the Justice Department has prosecuted an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S. citizen and prominent supporter of the Khalistan movement. U.S. prosecutors have alleged that an individual connected to Indian intelligence was involved in the plot. India has denied wrongdoing and has said it takes the allegations seriously.
The case has become a sensitive issue in U.S.-India relations and has drawn international attention to allegations involving attempts to target Sikh activists outside India.
Anand is expected to travel to India in mid-October, although as of Oct. 3, the Canadian government had not formally announced the trip. If confirmed, the visit is expected to include discussions with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on bilateral relations, trade negotiations and implementation of a roadmap agreed by the two countries. The trip would potentially be Anand’s third visit to India since becoming foreign minister. She previously traveled to India in October 2025 and March.
Source: ARY News