Ottawa: Just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney held what was described as a breakthrough meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Alberta, a Canadian intelligence report has reignited tensions. The report, published by Reuters, identifies India as a perpetrator of foreign interference in Canada.

The two leaders had met in what both governments termed “constructive” talks, signalling a major diplomatic reset after months of frosty relations. They agreed to reinstate their top envoys, who were mutually withdrawn in 2023 during a bitter row over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Carney’s invitation to Modi for a bilateral discussion has reportedly drawn criticism from Sikh extremists thriving in Canada.

CSIS report says India among countries practising transnational repression

According to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) report cited by Reuters, India is accused of engaging in “transnational repression” — a term used to describe actions by a foreign state aimed at silencing or intimidating dissenters abroad.

While the report continues to flag China as Canada’s principal counter-intelligence threat, it also raises alarms over India’s activities, grouping New Delhi alongside Russia, Iran, and Pakistan as countries of concern.

The intelligence document notes that Indian government operatives, along with proxies, have attempted to influence political figures and communities in Canada to bring the country’s policies more in line with India’s stance — especially in relation to the Khalistan separatist issue.

Background: Nijjar killing and fallout

The India-Canada relationship hit a low in 2023 when then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly alleged Indian involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who had been declared a terrorist by India.

Nijjar was killed in British Columbia, prompting a diplomatic standoff.

India denied the allegation and accused Canada of allowing Sikh extremist groups to operate freely on its soil.

The CSIS report follows disclosures made in October by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which stated that over a dozen threats had been shared with Sikh activists in Canada.

These individuals had been vocal in advocating for a separate Khalistan state in India.

Despite the claim, both India and China have ignored the report. Neither the Indian High Commission nor the Chinese Embassy in Canada have responded to the latest intelligence report.